Zubeen Garg Death Case: Seven Accused Appear Virtually in First Court Hearing
Seven accused appeared virtually before the CJM court in Guwahati as copies of the SIT chargesheet were furnished; the case is set to move to sessions trial.
GUWAHATI– In a significant development in the high-profile death case of Assam’s iconic singer-composer Zubeen Garg, all seven accused appeared virtually before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Kamrup Metropolitan today. This marked the first formal court hearing since the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its voluminous chargesheet on December 12.
The accused – festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, co-singer Amritprava Mahanta, cousin and suspended Assam Police officer Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya – were produced via video conferencing from Baksa district jail and Haflong sub-jail.
The virtual appearance was approved citing potential law-and-order issues if they were brought physically to the court.
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During the brief hearing, copies of the extensive chargesheet – reported to span 2,500 to 12,000 pages including supporting documents – were formally provided to the accused. The court verified their health and procedural compliance. A lawyer appointed through legal aid represented them, as many private advocates have refrained from taking the case amid strong public sentiment in Assam.
The CJM fixed the next hearing for December 22, 2025, when the case is likely to be committed to a sessions court for trial.
Zubeen Garg, died on September 19, 2025, while swimming during a yacht outing off Singapore’s coast. He was in the city-state for the North East India Festival. Initial reports from Singapore authorities indicated accidental drowning with no foul play, but widespread public outrage in Assam prompted a parallel probe by the state’s SIT.
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The SIT’s chargesheet charges four accused – Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddhartha Sharma, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, and Amritprava Mahanta – with murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sandipan Garg faces culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 105), while the two PSOs are charged with criminal conspiracy and breach of trust.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly described the incident as a “plain and simple murder,” assuring swift justice. The investigation involved examining over 300 witnesses, forensic evidence, and a visit to Singapore.
Meanwhile, Singapore Police continue their independent inquiry, with preliminary findings suggesting no criminality. The case remains emotionally charged in Assam, where Garg was revered as a cultural icon. Fans and artists continue to demand transparency and accountability.
The judicial process now enters its next phase, with the trial expected to draw intense scrutiny.
