Quick Glance
- Gauhati High Court deferred Shyamkanu Mahanta’s bail hearing to May 25
- Assam government likely to present arguments against bail
- Assam CID SIT chargesheet named seven accused in the case
- Singapore Police found no foul play, but Assam investigation continues
Guwahati/Agartala: The Gauhati High Court on Friday postponed the bail hearing of Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the accused in the death case involving Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg. The matter will now be heard on May 25, when the Assam government is expected to oppose the bail plea before the court.
Gauhati High Court Reschedules Bail Hearing
The Gauhati High Court on Friday adjourned the bail hearing of Shyamkanu Mahanta, who has been accused in the controversial death case linked to Zubeen Garg. The case has drawn significant public attention across Assam and the Northeast due to conflicting findings from Indian and Singaporean investigations.
The matter came up before the bench of Justice Mitali Thakuria. However, the hearing did not proceed further and the court fixed May 25 as the next date.
According to legal sources, the Assam government is expected to strongly oppose Mahanta’s bail plea during the next hearing.
The latest development marks the second hearing related to Mahanta’s bail application before the Gauhati High Court.
Court Earlier Sought Additional Affidavit
During the earlier hearing held on May 15, the court directed all parties involved in the matter to submit an additional affidavit by May 18.
The court reportedly sought more documents and clarification before considering the bail request. Legal observers believe the fresh submissions may play a key role during the next phase of arguments.
Mahanta has remained in judicial custody for several months after investigators named him among the accused in the case.
He is widely known as an organiser associated with a prominent Northeast festival operating under the NEIF banner.
How the Zubeen Garg Death Case Emerged
The case relates to the death of Zubeen Garg, who died on September 19 last year near Lazarus Island in Singapore.
Reports stated that the singer was swimming near the island when the incident occurred. The tragedy happened only a day before he was scheduled to perform at an event organised under the NEIF banner.
The incident triggered widespread shock across Assam and other Northeastern states because of the singer’s immense popularity and cultural influence.
Soon after the death, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Assam Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
Assam CID Filed Chargesheet Against Seven Accused
Following months of investigation, the SIT submitted its chargesheet in December.
The chargesheet reportedly named seven accused persons, including Shyamkanu Mahanta.
Investigators also invoked murder charges against four individuals. This significantly increased the seriousness of the case and intensified political debate in Assam.
Key Investigation Details
| Investigation Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | September 19, 2025 |
| Location | Lazarus Island, Singapore |
| Investigating Agency in Assam | Assam CID SIT |
| Total Accused Named | 7 |
| Murder Charges Filed Against | 4 accused |
| Next Bail Hearing | May 25, 2026 |
Assam Government Maintains Tough Position
Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly described the incident as a “plain and simple murder” during discussions in the Assam Assembly.
His statement reflected the strong stand adopted by the Assam government regarding the ongoing investigation.
The remarks also intensified political attention surrounding the case. Opposition parties and civil society groups have repeatedly demanded transparency in the investigation process.
Meanwhile, legal experts believe the state government may rely heavily on the SIT findings while opposing Mahanta’s bail petition in court.
Singapore Police Findings Differ From Assam Probe
While Assam investigators continue to pursue the criminal case, authorities in Singapore reached a different conclusion.
According to reports, Singapore Police found no evidence of foul play in the singer’s death.
However, Assam authorities have clarified that the foreign investigation will not influence the legal proceedings underway in India.
Officials have maintained that the Assam CID investigation is based on evidence collected independently during the SIT probe.
This difference in investigative conclusions has kept the case in public discussion for months.
Public Attention Remains High Across Northeast
The death case involving Zubeen Garg continues to dominate public discourse in Assam and other Northeastern states.
Supporters of the singer, legal observers, and political groups are closely tracking every court development.
The upcoming hearing on May 25 is expected to become a crucial stage in the legal battle over Mahanta’s bail application.
Observers believe the Gauhati High Court’s decision could influence the future direction of the high-profile case.
People Also Ask
Q. Why was the bail hearing of Shyamkanu Mahanta postponed?
The Gauhati High Court deferred the hearing to May 25 to continue proceedings and hear arguments from the Assam government against the bail plea.
Q. What is the Zubeen Garg death case about?
The case relates to the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg near Lazarus Island in Singapore in September 2025.
Q. What did the Singapore Police conclude?
Singapore Police reportedly stated that they found no evidence of foul play in the singer’s death.