Guwahati: The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday, August 17, the bail plea of Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the accused in the case concerning the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore last year.
Mahanta has approached the apex court, challenging the Gauhati High Court’s May 29 decision rejecting his bail application. The Supreme Court had earlier issued notice to the Assam government and sought its response to the plea.
Mahanta, who organised the North East India Festival in Singapore, was arrested in October 2025 and is among seven accused in the case. A fast-track court in Assam has framed murder charges against four of the accused, including Mahanta, while the remaining three face other charges. All seven have denied the allegations.
The trial began on June 8 with the recording of evidence from witnesses. The Gauhati High Court rejected Mahanta’s bail request after considering submissions from both the prosecution and defence. The prosecution opposed bail, while Mahanta’s legal team argued in favour of his release.
The case stems from Garg’s death on September 19, 2025, during a yacht outing in Singapore. Singapore authorities found no evidence suggesting foul play, while the state coroner concluded that the singer died from accidental drowning.
The subsequent investigation in Assam resulted in a separate criminal case and charges against the accused. The Special Investigation Team probing the matter has also submitted electronic devices and other digital evidence to the trial court. Investigators have maintained that the material forms part of the evidence supporting the chargesheet.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on Mahanta’s bail plea could determine whether he is released from custody while the trial in the Zubeen Garg death case continues in Assam.