The third hearing in the death case of Zubeen Garg is being held today at the District and Sessions Judge’s Court in Guwahati, with the newly appointed Special Public Prosecutor scheduled to appear before the court for the first time. However, there is little expectation of any major development during the hearing, as the case is still at a preliminary stage. According to court sources, the accused are likely to be produced before the court through video conferencing. The proceedings are expected to move slowly as several accused persons have not yet received all the relevant case documents. Until the documents are formally supplied, the court is unlikely to take up substantive arguments in the matter. The prosecution is expected to seek time from the court to file objections to the bail pleas submitted by Amritprabha Mahanta and Nandeshwar Bora. The government side will also seek additional time to submit objections to the bail applications filed by Sandipan Garg and Paresh Baishya. Time is also likely to be sought to file a response to the application submitted by accused Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma.
Meanwhile, the court is scheduled to pronounce its order today on the bail pleas of Amritprabha Mahanta and Nandeshwar Bora. Both had filed their bail applications during the previous hearing held on January 3. As per official records, the prime accused Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma, along with Zubeen Garg’s brother Sandipan Garg and two security guards, are currently lodged at Baksa District Jail. The remaining accused, Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta, are being held at Haflong Sub-Jail. On the legal front, Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma have engaged a team of senior advocates from Kolkata to represent them. Amritprabha Mahanta is being represented by senior advocate Anan Kumar Bhuyan, while Shekharjyoti Goswami has engaged advocate Sadhan Kalita. To handle the case, the Assam government has appointed five additional Public Prosecutors. The family of Zubeen Garg has also appointed a private lawyer to assist the prosecution. Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, has engaged young advocate Pradip Tamuli to represent the family’s interests.
During today’s hearing, charges are expected to be framed against the remaining accused. In the previous hearing, the court had already framed charges against Amritprabha Mahanta.The Investigating Officer, Maromi Das, was present at the Sessions Court today. Advocate Anan Kumar Bhuyan, appearing on behalf of Amritprabha Mahanta, was also seen in court. Zubeen Garg’s wife Garima Saikia Garg, along with her sister-in-law Palmee Barthakur, arrived at the court to attend the proceedings, underscoring the family’s continued presence and involvement as the case moves forward.