The ongoing investigation into the tragic death of iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has taken a crucial turn, as a Fast Track Court in Guwahati has formally framed charges against seven accused individuals. This development occurred on May 26, with Fast Track Judge Sharmila Bhuyan presiding over the proceedings. Public prosecutor Ziaur Kamar confirmed that the court was satisfied with the arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense, leading to the decision to frame charges under various legal sections.
According to Kamar, this step marks the official start of the trial process, with the court scheduling the next hearing for June 8. During this upcoming session, the examination of witnesses and the recording of evidence are set to commence. The court also instructed the prosecution to provide a comprehensive list of witnesses to the accused prior to the trial's initiation, indicating the prosecution's intention to call multiple witnesses to testify.
- Charges of murder against four individuals — Four of the accused face serious allegations of murder, intensifying the case's gravity.
- Public interest in trial proceedings — The case has garnered extensive public and political attention, highlighting its significance.
- Different conclusions from Singapore Police — A parallel investigation by Singapore authorities found no evidence of foul play, contrasting with Assam's findings.
The case stems from Garg's untimely death on September 19, 2025, while he was swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore. This incident occurred just a day before he was scheduled to perform at an event organized by the North East India Festival (NEIF). Following his death, the Assam Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In December, the SIT filed a chargesheet naming the seven accused, including one identified as Mahanta. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma previously described the incident as a “plain and simple murder” in the state Assembly, reinforcing the government's stance on the matter. Despite the findings of the Singapore investigation, which indicated no foul play, Assam authorities have asserted that these results will not affect their ongoing investigation and trial.
