SC sets two-month deadline for Zubeen Garg death trial witnesses

The Supreme Court on Monday directed that examination of crucial witnesses in the trial of singer Zubeen Garg's death be completed within two months, and deferred the bail plea of event manager Shyamkanu Mahanta to October 5. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan said it wanted to see how the trial proceeds, adding that the order would put pressure on the state to move ahead. The Assam government told the court that the trial is on a day-to-day basis and key witnesses in Singapore will record statements in the next fortnight. Hindustan Times and The Assam Tribune both reported the development.

Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Mahanta, argued that his client was not present at the spot and that Garg voluntarily entered the sea. He noted only 94 of 394 witnesses have been examined, and questioned the motive, saying Mahanta is an event manager with no reason to harm the singer. Justice Nagarathna also asked what motive Mahanta had to eliminate Garg. The Assam advocate general, Devajit Saikia, however, alleged a conspiracy, saying Mahanta threatened suicide if Garg refused to go to Singapore, supplied him liquor, and allowed him to attend a yacht party despite medical advice.

Garg, an iconic singer from Assam, died in Singapore last year. The SIT has charged Mahanta with murder and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Garg's sister, Pami Borthakur, questioned who is funding the accused's legal proceedings if their bank accounts are frozen. Mahanta remains in judicial custody after the Gauhati High Court denied him bail on May 29.