The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Assam government on a bail petition filed by Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the prime accused in the case related to the death of Assam’s popular singer Zubeen Garg.
Mahanta, who was the event manager and chief organiser of the North East India Festival held in Singapore, approached the apex court after the Gauhati High Court rejected his bail plea.
A Bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi directed the Assam government to submit its response within three weeks. The matter has been listed for further hearing at the end of July.
Mahanta moved the Supreme Court after the Gauhati High Court, on May 29, rejected his bail application for the second time. The hearing was conducted before Justice Mitali Thakuria, where detailed arguments were presented by both sides.
Earlier, a special fast-track court constituted for the case had also rejected Mahanta’s bail application.
Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar said that the case has now entered the trial stage, where statements of witnesses are being recorded and documentary evidence is being presented before the court.
The special court has been recording statements of prosecution witnesses, while defence lawyers have been conducting detailed cross-examinations to highlight alleged inconsistencies in the testimonies.
The prosecution is expected to examine a total of 394 witnesses, including medical experts and banking officials, during the trial.
The Supreme Court’s notice marks the next stage of legal proceedings, with the court expected to examine the submissions of both the accused and the Assam government during the upcoming hearing.