Guwahati, Feb 27: Garima Saikia Garg, the wife of the legendary late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, has formally welcomed the Assam government’s recent decision to move for a fast-track trial regarding the singer’s passing. Expressing a profound hope for swift justice, she emphasized that the family’s primary goal is to ensure the harshest possible punishment for those implicated in the tragedy. This development follows an announcement by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who confirmed that the state Cabinet has resolved to approach the Gauhati High Court to establish a fast-track court. The Chief Minister noted that this executive request is a direct response to a plea from the Garg family, underlining the government’s commitment to expediting the legal process in alignment with the wishes of the bereaved.
The case traces back to September 19 of last year in Singapore, where Zubeen Garg died after swimming in the sea while attending the 4th North East India Festival. Following the incident, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CID Assam conducted a thorough probe, eventually filing a chargesheet before a local court that named seven individuals as accused. Chief Minister Sarma has indicated that the SIT’s findings suggest the singer’s death was a planned act rather than a mere accident. He further asserted that all available evidence has been submitted to the judiciary, and the state remains prepared to treat the matter as a special case pending permission from the High Court, reflecting a broad public demand for legal urgency.
In her reaction to the Cabinet’s move, Garima Saikia Garg reiterated that the family views this as a special matter requiring immediate and continuous hearings. She specifically called for the trial to proceed without delay and expressed a firm stance against the granting of bail to any of the accused. Addressing claims made by the defense, she dismissed allegations of a “design” or political conspiracy behind the prosecution, maintaining that the SIT’s chargesheet clearly identifies the culprits and establishes their direct involvement. Her advocacy for a fast-track trial comes after previously voicing dissatisfaction over perceived procedural delays at the Kamrup Metropolitan District and Sessions Court.
As the case continues to command significant public attention due to Zubeen Garg’s immense stature in Assam’s cultural landscape, the government’s push for an accelerated trial marks a pivotal moment in the judicial proceedings. The transition toward a fast-track format is intended to provide a definitive resolution to the serious allegations outlined by investigators. With the chargesheet already filed and the state’s highest leadership backing the family’s request, the focus now shifts to the Gauhati High Court’s response, which will determine the pace of the upcoming legal battle.
