Zubeen Garg death case: Gauhati HC to hear Shyamkanu Mahanta bail plea today
Synopsis
The Gauhati High Court's second hearing on festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta's bail plea is the latest flashpoint in one of Assam's most politically charged criminal cases — pitting an Assam SIT murder chargesheet against a Singapore Police finding of no foul play in the death of beloved singer Zubeen Garg.
Key Takeaways
The Gauhati High Court is hearing Shyamkanu Mahanta's bail plea on 22 May before Justice Mitali Thakuria — the second such hearing.
Mahanta is among seven accused named in the SIT chargesheet; four face charges of murder .
Assamese singer Zubeen Garg died on 19 September while swimming near Lazarus Island, Singapore , a day before a scheduled performance.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma called it a 'plain and simple murder' in the state Assembly.
The Singapore Police found no evidence of foul play — a conclusion Assam authorities say will not affect their proceedings.
The Gauhati High Court is scheduled on Friday, 22 May to take up the bail application of Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the accused in the case linked to the death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. The hearing will come before the bench of Justice Mitali Thakuria and marks the second time the court has taken up Mahanta's bail plea.
Background to Friday's Hearing
During the first hearing on 15 May, Justice Thakuria directed all concerned parties to file an additional affidavit by 18 May. According to legal sources, the court is expected to examine those additional submissions on Friday before arriving at a decision on the bail petition. Mahanta, widely known as the organiser of a prominent Northeast festival, has remained in judicial custody for several months since being named in the chargesheet.
How Zubeen Garg Died
Garg died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore — just one day before he was due to perform at an event organised under the NEIF banner. The circumstances of his death triggered a criminal investigation in Assam that has since drawn significant public and political attention.
The Chargesheet and Accused
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 Mahanta, with four of them booked on charges of murder — a designation that significantly raises the legal stakes of the case.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had described the incident as a 'plain and simple murder' during a session of the state Assembly, signalling the government's firm stance on the matter.
Conflicting Findings Between India and Singapore
A parallel investigation by the Singapore Police reached a starkly different conclusion, stating that there was no evidence of foul play in Garg's death. Despite this divergence, Assam authorities have maintained that the findings of the foreign probe will not influence the ongoing investigation and trial in the state. This conflict between the two jurisdictions has added a layer of complexity to an already high-profile case.
What Comes Next
Friday's bail hearing is considered a critical juncture in the legal proceedings. Should the court grant bail to Mahanta, it could reshape the dynamics of the trial; a rejection would keep him in custody as the case moves toward the trial stage. The outcome is being closely watched by Garg's family, fans, and political observers across Assam.
Point of View
While politically resonant, risks prejudicing proceedings in a case that is still at the bail stage. The real test will come during trial, when the prosecution must prove criminal intent beyond reasonable doubt without the evidentiary support of the country where the death actually occurred.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shyamkanu Mahanta and why is he in jail?
Shyamkanu Mahanta is a festival organiser associated with the Northeast India Festival (NEIF) and is one of seven individuals named in the SIT chargesheet filed in December in connection with the death of singer Zubeen Garg. He has been in judicial custody for several months and is seeking bail before the Gauhati High Court.
How did Zubeen Garg die?
Zubeen Garg died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore, one day before he was scheduled to perform at a NEIF event. The Assam SIT concluded foul play was involved and filed a murder chargesheet, while the Singapore Police found no evidence of foul play.
What does the chargesheet say?
The chargesheet filed by the Assam Police CID's SIT in December names seven accused individuals. Four of them have been charged with murder. Shyamkanu Mahanta is among those named.
Why are the Indian and Singapore investigations at odds?
The Assam SIT concluded that Garg's death involved criminal intent and filed a murder chargesheet, while the Singapore Police — the jurisdiction where the death occurred — found no evidence of foul play. Assam authorities have stated that the Singapore findings will not influence their ongoing investigation or trial.
What happens if Mahanta is granted bail?
If the Gauhati High Court grants bail to Mahanta, he would be released from judicial custody while the trial proceeds. A rejection would keep him in jail. The bail decision is seen as a significant procedural milestone in the broader case.
