Zubeen Garg death case: Fast Track Court frames charges against 7 accused
Synopsis
A Guwahati Fast Track Court has formally framed charges against seven accused in the Zubeen Garg death case, setting the stage for full trial from 8 June. The case pits an Assam SIT murder chargesheet against Singapore Police's finding of no foul play — a rare cross-border legal standoff over one of India's Northeast's most beloved singers.
Key Takeaways
Fast Track Judge Sharmila Bhuyan framed charges against seven accused in the Zubeen Garg death case on 27 May 2025 in Guwahati .
Four of the seven accused face charges of murder ; the chargesheet was filed by Assam Police's CID-SIT in December .
The next hearing is scheduled for 8 June , when witness examination and evidence recording will begin.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had called the death a 'plain and simple murder' in the state Assembly.
Singapore Police found no evidence of foul play — a conclusion Assam authorities say will not affect the Indian trial.
Garg died on 19 September near Lazarus Island, Singapore , a day before a scheduled NEIF performance.
A Fast Track Court in Guwahati on Tuesday, 27 May 2025 formally framed charges against seven accused individuals in the case linked to the death of iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, marking the official commencement of the trial process. The charges were framed by Fast Track Judge Sharmila Bhuyan after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence.
What Happened in Court
Public prosecutor Ziaur Kamar told reporters after the hearing that the court was satisfied with the submissions made during proceedings and subsequently framed charges against all seven accused under various sections of law. 'After hearing arguments from both sides, the honourable Fast Track Court framed charges against the accused persons under various sections,' Kamar said.
The court has directed the prosecution to furnish a witness list to the accused before the trial begins. According to Kamar, the prosecution intends to examine a large number of witnesses, and proceedings are expected to continue on a regular basis once they commence.
Key Dates and Next Steps
The next hearing has been scheduled for 8 June, from which witness examination and recording of evidence will begin. The upcoming bail hearing is also expected to be a significant stage in the legal proceedings.
Background: Garg's Death and the Chargesheet
Zubeen Garg died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore — just a day before he 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's CID conducted an extensive probe and filed a chargesheet in December. The chargesheet named seven accused, including one identified as Mahanta, with four of the seven booked on charges of murder.
Conflicting Findings: Assam vs Singapore
The case has been marked by a sharp divergence in investigative conclusions. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the incident as a 'plain and simple murder' during a discussion in the state Assembly, reflecting the government's firm stance. However, a parallel investigation by Singapore Police concluded that there was no evidence of foul play in Garg's death. Assam authorities have maintained that the foreign probe's findings will not influence the ongoing investigation and trial in the state.
Why the Case Matters
Zubeen Garg was one of Assam's most celebrated cultural icons, and his sudden death triggered widespread public grief and political scrutiny. This is the first time a Fast Track Court has formally initiated trial proceedings in the case, and the divergence between Indian and Singaporean investigative findings continues to fuel debate. The commencement of witness examination on 8 June will be closely watched across the state.
Point of View
But the deeper story is the collision between two sovereign investigations reaching opposite conclusions. Assam's SIT calls it murder; Singapore's police found no foul play. Indian courts are not bound by foreign findings, but the evidentiary gap will be the defence's sharpest weapon when witness examination begins on 8 June. The state government's public posture — the Chief Minister declaring 'plain and simple murder' before a verdict — also raises questions about sub judice propriety that the defence is likely to press. How the Fast Track Court navigates cross-jurisdictional evidence will set a precedent for similar cases involving Indian nationals who die abroad.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Zubeen Garg death case hearing on 27 May 2025?
A Fast Track Court in Guwahati formally framed charges against all seven accused in the case on 27 May 2025. The charges were framed by Fast Track Judge Sharmila Bhuyan after hearing arguments from both prosecution and defence, marking the official start of the trial process.
How did Zubeen Garg die?
Zubeen Garg died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore, a day before he was scheduled to perform at an event organised under the NEIF banner. The circumstances of his death remain disputed between Indian and Singaporean investigations.
What do the charges against the accused include?
The Assam Police CID-SIT chargesheet, filed in December, named seven accused individuals. Four of them have been booked on charges of murder, making the case one of the most serious legal proceedings linked to a cultural figure in Assam in recent memory.
What did Singapore Police conclude about Garg's death?
Singapore Police conducted a parallel investigation and concluded there was no evidence of foul play in Zubeen Garg's death. Assam authorities have stated that this foreign finding will not affect the ongoing investigation and trial in India.
When will the trial formally begin and what happens next?
The next hearing is scheduled for 8 June 2025, from which witness examination and recording of evidence will begin. The prosecution has been directed to submit a witness list to the accused before that date, and proceedings are expected to continue regularly thereafter.
