Supreme Court issues notice on bail plea in Zubeen Garg death case

Zubeen Garg Death Case: Supreme Court Issues Notice To Assam Govt On Accused's Bail Plea

New Delhi, June 23: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Assam government on a bail plea filed by event organiser Shyam Kanu Mahanta, who is facing charges including murder and cheating in connection with the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg during a yacht trip in Singapore in September 2025.A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Joymalya Bagchi sought the State's response and made the matter returnable at the end of July. Appearing for Mahanta, Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave argued that there was no possibility of his client fleeing from the law. He told the court that Garg had died due to drowning and pointed out that Mahanta's passport had already been deposited with authorities. “There is no flight risk. I don't have money. My passport is deposited,” Dave submitted.Mahanta has challenged a May 29 order of the Gauhati High Court, which rejected his bail application. He was arrested on October 1, 2025, and has remained in custody since then, Live Law reports.Serious Charges And Alleged ConspiracyThe chargesheet invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including criminal conspiracy, murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, destruction of evidence, extortion, cheating and criminal breach of trust.According to the prosecution, Garg drowned during a yacht outing in Singapore on September 19, 2025. Investigators have maintained that the incident was not a simple case of accidental drowning. Instead, they allege it was the result of a larger conspiracy in which Garg was knowingly exposed to dangerous circumstances despite concerns about his health.The State alleges that Mahanta, one of the organisers of the North East India Festival (NEIF) in Singapore, conspired with other accused persons in a chain of events that ultimately led to the singer's death. Prosecutors claim Mahanta was aware that Garg suffered from epilepsy, had undergone alcohol de-addiction treatment and had medical advice to avoid alcohol as well as water- and fire-related activities.Despite this knowledge, the prosecution alleges that alcohol continued to be supplied to Garg and that Mahanta organised or facilitated the yacht trip. Investigators have also alleged that hotel room arrangements were altered so that co-accused Amritprava Mahanta could stay with Garg and continuously provide him alcohol.The State further claims that Mahanta failed to ensure adequate medical and safety arrangements for the singer. According to investigators, he was aware of the yacht trip beforehand, discussed it with organisers and had several opportunities to prevent Garg from taking part but chose not to intervene.Flight Risk Claim And Evidence Tampering AllegationThe prosecution has also relied on witness statements and post-mortem findings, which allegedly showed 333 mg of ethanol in Garg's body. It has further alleged that Mahanta instructed a witness to procure a bottle of Black and White whisky for the singer.Before the Gauhati High Court, the State argued that Mahanta travelled to Malaysia after the incident, forcing authorities to issue a lookout circular and seek Interpol alerts before he was eventually apprehended at Delhi airport. Investigators have also accused him of deleting chats and electronic data and issuing contradictory public statements after Garg's death.Mahanta has denied all allegations. He argued before the High Court that he was only a co-organiser of the festival, which was held under the aegis of the High Commission of India in Singapore. He claimed that he had specifically instructed the hotel not to provide alcohol to Garg and maintained that the yacht trip was organised by others.Mahanta also contended that Garg's death was an accidental drowning and said he was not present on the yacht. Rejecting claims that he was likely to abscond, he argued that his passport and other travel documents had already been seized. He further said his trip to Malaysia after the incident was a family visit from Singapore and not an attempt to evade investigators.Why The High Court Refused BailRejecting Mahanta's bail plea in May, the Gauhati High Court held that material collected during the investigation prima facie suggested his involvement in the alleged conspiracy. The court observed that despite being aware of Garg's medical condition, there appeared to have been no adequate medical or safety arrangements in place. It also noted that the yacht trip seemed to have been organised in consultation with Mahanta.The High Court further accepted the prosecution's argument that the possibility of witness tampering and absconding could not be ruled out at that stage. It took note of the fact that the prosecution had cited 394 witnesses and that the case was still at the stage of consideration of charges.The court also held that Mahanta's custody of around eight months did not amount to prolonged incarceration. Since a special court had already been constituted to conduct the trial, it found no grounds to grant him bail.Also Watch: Zubeen Garg Death Case: SC Issues Notice To Assam Government On Bail Plea Filed By Shyamkanu MahantaThe Supreme Court's notice does not amount to any relief for Mahanta at this stage. However, the development indicates that the apex court is willing to examine the circumstances under which bail was denied in a case that has attracted significant public attention in Assam and beyond.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

14 hours ago

Zubeen Garg Death Case: SC Issues Notice To Assam Government On Bail Plea Filed By Shyamkanu Mahanta

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (June 23) sought a response from the Assam government while hearing a bail plea filed by Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the accused in the case linked to the death of singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore last year.A Bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi issued notice on Mahanta's special leave petition, which challenges the Gauhati High Court's decision to deny him bail. As per details available on the court's website, the matter is expected to be taken up again on August 10.Gauhati High Court Had Rejected BailThe development comes weeks after the Gauhati High Court dismissed Mahanta's bail application, citing the seriousness of the allegations and material collected during the investigation.BIG Update On Zubeen Garg Death: Singapore Inquiry Finds No Foul Play, Calls It Accidental DrowningIn its order, the High Court observed that there was prima facie evidence suggesting Mahanta's involvement in an alleged conspiracy surrounding the incident."Prima facie it is seen that there was a conspiracy of the petitioner along with other co-accused persons."The court further noted that investigators had gathered material indicating that the yacht party in Singapore was organised in consultation with Mahanta and that he had played "an active part in the said conspiracy".Allegations Highlighted by the CourtAccording to the prosecution's case, the late singer was allegedly supplied alcohol throughout the night and later taken on a yacht trip despite known medical restrictions related to alcohol consumption and water-based activities.The High Court also observed that proper medical assistance and safety arrangements were allegedly not made available, despite concerns about the singer's health condition.Another factor weighed by the court was the possibility of Mahanta fleeing if granted bail. The order noted that he had travelled to Malaysia after the incident and was later arrested at Delhi airport following the issuance of lookout notices."It cannot be out-rightly rejected that there is a flight risk of the petitioner, if he is released on bail,"The court also pointed to the large number of prosecution witnesses and said the possibility of witness tampering could not be ruled out at this stage of the proceedings.Zubeen Garg Case: Court Reserves Order On Siddharth Sarma's Flat, Singapore Files Additionally, the High Court held that Mahanta's detention could not yet be considered prolonged incarceration, noting that a special court had already been set up to conduct the trial on a day-to-day basis.Background of the CaseMahanta, known for organising the Northeast International Festival (NEIF), has been in judicial custody for several months after being named as one of the accused in the investigation.The case stems from the death of singer Zubeen Garg, who died on September 19 last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore. The incident occurred a day before he was scheduled to perform at an event organised under the NEIF banner.Following his death, the Assam Police CID formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. The investigation culminated in a chargesheet filed in December, naming seven accused individuals, including Mahanta. Four of the accused were booked on murder charges.The case attracted significant attention after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described it as a "plain and simple murder" during a discussion in the state Assembly. Singapore Probe Reached Different ConclusionWhile the investigation in Assam continues, Singapore authorities arrived at a different conclusion. A parallel inquiry conducted by the Singapore Police reportedly found no evidence of foul play in Garg's death.Despite that finding, Assam authorities have maintained that the conclusions of the foreign investigation will not influence the criminal proceedings currently underway in India.With the Supreme Court now seeking the Assam government's response, the legal battle over Mahanta's bail plea is set to enter its next phase in the coming weeks.

16 hours ago

Zubeen Garg death case: Supreme Court issues notice on bail plea

The Supreme Court has issued notice on a bail petition filed by event organiser Shyam Kanu Mahanta, arrested in connection with the death of musician Zubeen Garg during a Singapore yacht trip in September 2025. Mahanta's plea follows a High Court rejection, with investigators treating the drowning as part of a broader conspiracy involving alleged negligence and criminal charges. The court has directed the Assam government to respond by July.

17 hours ago