Guwahati, Jan 22: Two of the seven accused in the case related to the death of iconic Assamese musician Zubeen Garg withdrew their bail petitions on Thursday, developments that came to light during proceedings at the Kamrup District and Sessions Judge’s Court in Guwahati. The accused, identified as Shyamkanu Mahanta and Sandipan Garg, chose to withdraw their pleas during the hearing, according to counsel representing Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Advocate Pradip Tamuli said the court heard the bail applications of three other accused—Amritprabha Mahanta and Zubeen Garg’s bodyguards, Paresh Baishya and Nandeswar Bora—on the same day. He said the court has reserved its order on their bail pleas for January 30. Tamuli added that the public prosecutors opposed the bail requests, while the defence for Amritprabha Mahanta argued that she had cooperated with the investigation despite allegations of wrongdoing and sought her release on bail.
Garima Saikia Garg, who was present during the hearing, said she was satisfied with the submissions made by the prosecution. She noted that while two accused withdrew their bail petitions, arguments on the remaining pleas were heard in detail and the court would deliver its decision later this month. Zubeen Garg’s sister, Palmee Borthakur, also addressed the media, echoing similar views.
The hearing assumed added significance as it followed the submission of a chargesheet by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Assam Police to probe the high-profile case. The chargesheet names five individuals and details their alleged involvement in events leading up to the musician’s death. It also lists Garg’s manager, Siddhartha Sharma, and bandmate Shekharjyoti Goswami as accused of murder, while his cousin Sandipan Garg, a suspended Assam Police officer, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Investigators said the chargesheet is backed by witness statements, forensic and medical reports, electronic records and international correspondence. All the accused have denied the allegations and asserted their innocence as the legal proceedings continue.
