The Supreme Court on Monday directed the State of Assam to diligently proceed with the trial against Northeast Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, who is an accused in the case concerning the drowning death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.
A Bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan issued the direction while hearing Mahanta’s bail plea. Mahanta, who has organised the Northeast Festival since 2013, was arrested in connection with the case following Garg’s death while swimming in Singapore on September 19, 2025.
Appearing for the State, Advocate General Devajit Saikia informed the Court that the trial was progressing on a day-to-day basis and that several crucial witnesses were expected to be examined over the coming weeks. The Court ordered the prosecution to pursue the case diligently.
Justice Nagarathna orally observed that the Court was putting pressure on the State to ensure that the trial proceeded expeditiously and indicated that it would examine the progress made when the matter is taken up next.
Garg had drowned while swimming in the sea in Singapore under circumstances that were subsequently described as mysterious. Following his death, several FIRs were registered alleging offences including criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide not amounting to murder against Mahanta and others.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Mahanta, argued that Garg had voluntarily entered the sea and that his client was not present when the incident occurred.
Pointing out the prosecution’s version of events, Dave argued that the victim, an adult wearing a life jacket, willingly jumped off a boat to swim before mysteriously drowning.
Pointing to the progress of the trial, Dave said that only 94 of the 394 prosecution witnesses had been examined. He also submitted that several FIRs had been clubbed together.
Dave further emphasised that the incident had taken place in Singapore and that the authorities there, after conducting a post-mortem examination, had concluded that Garg died due to drowning.
Defense counsel Dave submitted that the element of murder was completely absent. He challenged the prosecution’s conspiracy claims regarding Mahanta’s failure to supervise the deceased or supply him with alcohol, arguing that as an adult, Garg acted on his own volition.
Justice Nagarathna questioned what motive Mahanta, who had regularly organised festivals in the Northeast, could have had to eliminate the singer.
Advocate General Saikia, however, maintained that Garg’s death was not accidental. He alleged that Mahanta had arranged women and supplied alcohol to Garg before the incident. He further alleged that Mahanta had pressured Garg to travel to Singapore by threatening to die by suicide if the singer refused.
Countering the defense, the Advocate General alleged that the incident was the result of a broader conspiracy.
After hearing the rival submissions, the Supreme Court listed Mahanta’s bail plea for further hearing on October 5, when it is expected to assess the progress of the trial.
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