The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the State of Assam on a bail petition filed by Northeast Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, arrested in connection with the death of noted Assamese singer Zubeen Garg during a yacht trip in Singapore on September 19, 2025.
The Bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Joymalya Bagchi sought the state’s response on the bail plea and directed that the matter be listed for hearing at the end of July 2026.
Mahanta moved the Apex Court challenging a May 29 order of the Gauhati High Court, which denied him bail. He has remained in judicial custody since his arrest in October 2025.
According to Mahanta, he has been falsely implicated in the case arising out of Garg’s death. He contended that the singer allegedly drowned while swimming in the sea and that he was not present at the location, claiming that he was on a yacht with family members and friends at the relevant time.
The Bench inquired whether there was any apprehension that Mahanta might abscond if released on bail.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Mahanta, submitted that there was no flight risk and informed the Court that his passport had already been surrendered to the authorities.
Following the death of Zubeen Garg in September, 2025, several FIRs were registered against Mahanta and others, alleging criminal conspiracy, murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, cheating and other offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Mahanta has also separately approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the investigation to an independent agency and consolidation of multiple FIRs registered in connection with the incident. He alleged that he was subjected to a coordinated criminal prosecution across different States and falsely implicated in the matter.
According to the accused, more than 50 FIRs have been registered against him. He further contended that public statements made by authorities, extensive media coverage and alleged threats directed at him have adversely affected the fairness of the investigation.
The petitioner further contended that Singaporean authorities concluded that Garg’s death was caused by drowning and found no evidence of foul play. However, according to Mahanta, subsequent doubts raised regarding the circumstances of the incident led to the registration of criminal cases in India and the arrest of several persons, including him.
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