Zubeen Garg's family seeks Governor's intervention for speedy trial, stronger prosecution

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Family members of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on Wednesday approached Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, seeking his intervention to ensure effective prosecution, timely legal action against bail orders and an expedited trial in connection with the singer's death in Singapore last year.

Garg's wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and sister, Palme Borthakur, accompanied by prominent personalities from the Assamese film industry, met the Governor at Lok Bhavan and submitted a memorandum outlining their concerns over the progress of the case.

The family expressed particular apprehension over the recent grant of bail to two accused by the Gauhati High Court and urged the state government to pursue all available legal remedies to ensure that the prosecution was not weakened.

Garg died on September 19, 2025, while swimming in the sea near Singapore's Lazarus Island. He had travelled to the country to attend the fourth edition of the North East India Festival.

𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲

In its memorandum, the family acknowledged that the Assam government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and that the investigating agency had filed a charge sheet. However, it maintained that the case had entered a critical stage requiring sustained attention and coordinated legal action.

The family said the recent bail orders had caused "considerable anguish and apprehension" and called upon the government to challenge them before a higher judicial forum wherever sufficient legal grounds existed.

"The Government of Assam has stated its intention to challenge the recent bail orders before the Supreme Court. We earnestly expect that this decision will be translated into prompt and effective legal action," the memorandum stated.

The family also urged the authorities to firmly oppose bail applications filed by North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, against whom serious allegations have been levelled.

It emphasised that all such steps must be taken within the framework of law and without interfering with judicial independence.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The memorandum proposed establishing a unified prosecution coordination mechanism under the Assam Advocate General to oversee proceedings before the designated fast-track court, the Gauhati High Court and the Supreme Court.

According to the family, such a mechanism would help ensure timely filing of appeals, effective communication between investigators and prosecutors, and consistent presentation of the case at different judicial levels.

It also sought stronger measures for presenting documentary, forensic and digital evidence, protecting witnesses and preventing any interference with material relevant to the investigation.

The family urged the government to provide the necessary legal and administrative support for a fair, comprehensive and expeditious trial.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱

Apart from the circumstances surrounding Garg's death, the memorandum drew attention to reports of suspected financial irregularities and other alleged criminal activities involving some of the accused.

These included the reported recovery of official seals and stamps belonging to government departments, multiple PAN cards, and allegations concerning misappropriation of the singer's earnings and diversion of funds.

The family requested a thorough investigation into these allegations and appropriate prosecution wherever evidence established criminal wrongdoing.

"Justice for Zubeen should transcend political differences and remain a shared commitment to truth, fairness and the rule of law," the memorandum said.

It clarified that the appeal was neither directed against any individual or institution nor intended to interfere with the independent functioning of the judiciary.

The family also appealed for public demands for justice to remain peaceful and dignified so that no activity undermined the judicial process.

𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲

Seven people were arrested in connection with Garg's death, including Mahanta, Sharma, band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, the singer's cousin and suspended Assam Police DSP Sandipon Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya.

According to the charge sheet, Mahanta faces charges under eight sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while Sharma faces seven. Goswami and Amritprava face six charges each, Bora and Baishya two each, and Sandipon Garg one.

The accused have been booked under various provisions relating to murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy and causing death by negligence.

Sandipon Garg and Amritprava Mahanta secured bail and were released from jail earlier this month.

The Assam Police's Criminal Investigation Department constituted the SIT after more than 60 FIRs were registered across the state following the singer's death.

𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆

The case has also attracted attention because of the differing findings of investigations conducted in Singapore and Assam.

The Singapore Police Force, which investigated the circumstances of Garg's death, concluded that there was no evidence of foul play.

A Coroner's Court in Singapore subsequently ruled out foul play, finding that the singer-songwriter had been severely intoxicated and drowned off Lazarus Island after declining to wear a life jacket.

Assam authorities, however, maintained that the Singapore investigation's findings would not affect the criminal proceedings initiated in the state.

Against this backdrop, Garg's family has sought continued judicial scrutiny and effective prosecution, stressing that the pursuit of justice must remain consistent with due process and the rule of law.