In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the death of popular singer and composer Zubeen Garg, five of the main accused were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody following a virtual appearance before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court on October 27. The five accused include North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin and police officer Sandipan Garg, and his personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya. They were produced virtually after the expiry of their earlier custody period.
The virtual hearing was conducted as a special arrangement since October 28 marks Chhath Puja, a public holiday, making physical court proceedings impossible. Sources said the CJM court ordered the extension of judicial custody for another 14 days after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). Earlier, on October 15, the court had sent the accused to judicial custody, and they were lodged in Baksa Jail under heavy security. Their transfer to the facility had taken place amidst violent protests that broke out near the court premises and along the route of the convoy carrying the accused.
According to officials, the protests turned chaotic, with agitators throwing stones at police vehicles and setting several cars on fire, leading to injuries to police personnel and members of the media. Baksa Superintendent of Police Ujjal Pratim Baruah later confirmed that nine people were arrested in connection with the violence, while several more suspects have been identified through CCTV footage and video evidence.In a related development, two other accused in the same case — Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, both members of Garg’s music band — were produced before the court a day later and subsequently sent to Haflong Jail in Dima Hasao district.