The Gauhati High Court has permitted Garima Garg to access funds from bank accounts belonging to singer Zubeen Garg that had been frozen during the investigation into his murder case.
The order was passed during a hearing in which allegations were also levelled against the singer’s manager, Siddhartha Sharma, accusing him of diverting funds intended for Zubeen Garg and misappropriating payments received from Bihu committees.
According to submissions made before the court, only about Rs 9 lakh remains in Zubeen Garg’s bank accounts, while Sharma’s accounts allegedly contain funds amounting to several crores. It was further alleged that payments made to the singer by various Bihu committees were not fully credited to his accounts and had instead been diverted.
Among the allegations placed before the court was a claim that Rs 32 lakh paid by Bihu committees last year had been misappropriated. The allegations form part of the ongoing proceedings and have not been adjudicated upon by the court.
During the hearing, the High Court observed that access to the funds was necessary to meet expenses and manage matters connected to the singer. It accordingly allowed Garima Garg to operate and utilise the money lying in the frozen accounts.
Meanwhile, Siddhartha Sharma has moved the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of the trial outside Assam. The plea is currently pending before the apex court.
