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Zubeen Garg death case: Assam cabinet to approach HC seeking day-to-day trial

Sarma said the decision was taken following a request by Garg’s family, even though the government was happy with the existing court where the case is being heard

Published on: Feb 27, 2026, 09:18:27 IST
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The Assam cabinet on Thursday decided to approach the Gauhati High Court seeking day-to-day trial in the murder case of cultural icon Zubeen Garg who passed away in Singapore on September 19 last year while swimming in the sea.

The singer died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore on September 19 last year while swimming in the sea. (PTI fille photo)
The singer died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore on September 19 last year while swimming in the sea. (PTI fille photo)

North East India Festival (NEIF) chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer’s manager Siddharth Sharma, his two band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta, his cousin and Assam Police official Sandipan Garg, and his PSOs Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya are in jail as accused in the case.

“The cabinet decided that the government should approach the Gauhati High Court seeking an exclusive court for day-to-day trial in the Zubeen Garg case. We will intimate the chief justice about the cabinet decision who will take a call on what to do,” said chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The cabinet move comes a week after Garg’s wife, Garrima Saikia Garg, and sister, Palme Borthakur, expressed frustration about the pace of proceedings at the trial court in Guwahati whose matter is being heard.

“It is worth mentioning that since none of the accused have been granted bail by the present court, it was the government’s impression that justice would have been served if the trial had continued in the same court,” said Sarma.

Also Read: Zubeen Garg death case: Assam court rejects bail applications of three accused

“But since we had earlier announced that our decisions will be based on what Garg’s family wants. As they have expressed publicly that they want the trial to be fast paced, the cabinet decided to hand over the trial to an exclusive court and approach the HC with that request,” he added.

  • Utpal Parashar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Utpal Parashar

    A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More