Zubeen Garg death probe: Court reserves order on bail plea of accused bandmate
Synopsis
A former bandmate of Assamese music legend Zubeen Garg awaits a bail ruling on 28 May, as Assam's Fast Track Court reserved its order in a murder probe that directly contradicts Singapore Police findings of no foul play — a rare cross-border legal standoff over a celebrity death.
Key Takeaways
Assam's Fast Track Court reserved its order on 18 May on the bail plea of accused Shekharjyoti Goswami , a former bandmate of Zubeen Garg .
The court will pronounce its verdict on 28 May .
Garg died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island, Singapore , a day before a scheduled performance.
The Assam Police CID SIT filed a chargesheet naming seven accused , with four facing murder charges.
Singapore Police found no evidence of foul play, but Assam authorities have stated this will not affect their probe.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the case a 'plain and simple murder' on the floor of the state Assembly.
Assam's Fast Track Court on Monday, 18 May reserved its order on the bail plea of Shekharjyoti Goswami, a former bandmate of iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg and one of the accused in the high-profile death investigation linked to the musician. The court has fixed 28 May for pronouncement of the verdict.
What Happened in Court
Goswami, who has remained in judicial custody for several months, was not produced before the court on Monday. His counsel argued for bail, citing the prolonged period of incarceration. The prosecution opposed the plea, contending that the investigation into the case remained significant and that bail should not be granted at this stage.
Background: The Death of Zubeen Garg
The case stems from the death of Zubeen Garg, who died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore. The incident took place a day before the singer was scheduled to perform at an event organised under the NEIF banner.
Following the incident, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Assam Police CID conducted an extensive probe and filed a chargesheet in December. The chargesheet named seven accused persons, of whom four have been booked on charges of murder, significantly elevating the gravity of the case.
Government's Stand and the Singapore Probe
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had described the case as a 'plain and simple murder' during a discussion in the state Assembly, making the government's position unambiguous. Notably, a parallel investigation by the Singapore Police reached a contrasting conclusion, finding no evidence of foul play in Garg's death. Despite this divergence, Assam authorities have maintained that the foreign probe's findings would not influence the ongoing investigation and trial in the state.
What's Next
The court's order on 28 May is expected to be a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings. The case continues to draw widespread public and political attention across Assam and beyond, given Zubeen Garg's stature as one of the most celebrated voices in Assamese music and culture.
Point of View
Made before a trial concludes, raises legitimate concerns about prejudicing proceedings. If the case reaches higher courts, the Singapore findings could become a significant variable that the prosecution cannot simply wish away.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zubeen Garg death case about?
The case concerns the death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, who died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore. The Assam Police CID SIT has filed a chargesheet naming seven accused, with four facing murder charges, alleging foul play in his death.
Who is Shekharjyoti Goswami and why is he in custody?
Shekharjyoti Goswami is a former bandmate of Zubeen Garg and one of the accused named in the SIT chargesheet. He has been lodged in judicial custody for several months and sought bail, which the Fast Track Court has reserved for a ruling on 28 May.
What did the Singapore Police find in their investigation?
The Singapore Police conducted a parallel investigation and concluded there was no evidence of foul play in Zubeen Garg's death. Assam authorities have, however, stated that this finding will not influence their ongoing investigation and trial.
What has Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said about the case?
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the case as a 'plain and simple murder' during a discussion in the Assam state Assembly, making the government's position on the nature of Garg's death explicit.
When will the court announce its decision on the bail plea?
The Fast Track Court has fixed 28 May for pronouncing its order on Shekharjyoti Goswami's bail petition, after completing the hearing on 18 May.
