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The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Assam Government on the bail plea of Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the accused in the alleged murder and drowning
death case of renowned Assam-based musician Zubeen Garg. Mahanta, who was the organiser of the festival linked to the incident, approached the apex court after his bail applications were rejected by both the fast-track trial court and the Gauhati High Court. The celebrated Indian singer and cultural icon died at the age of 52 in Singapore on September 19, 2025, following a tragic drowning accident near Lazarus Island. He was in the country to perform as a cultural ambassador at the North East India Festival.
SC issues notice to Assam government in Zubeen Garg death case
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (June 23) issued a notice to the Assam Government on the bail plea filed by Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the accused in the alleged murder and drowning death case of renowned Assam-based musician Zubeen Garg. Mahanta, who was the organiser of the festival linked to the incident, approached the apex court after his bail applications were rejected by both the fast-track trial court and the Gauhati High Court. The Supreme Court has sought the state government's response on his plea.
Mahanta faces eight charges, including murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy and causing the disappearance of evidence. He has been in judicial custody for nearly nine months. The accused was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on October 1, 2025, from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport after arriving from Singapore.
After being denied bail by both the fast-track trial court and the Gauhati High Court, Mahanta moved the Supreme Court seeking relief. The apex court's notice marks the latest development in the high-profile case, with further proceedings expected after the Assam Government files its response.
About Zubeen Garg death
Celebrated singer, composer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg passed away at the age of 52 on September 19, 2025, after a tragic drowning incident near Lazarus Island in Singapore. He was in the country as a cultural ambassador for the North East India Festival when the accident occurred.
Revered for his immense contributions to Assamese music and widely recognised across India for Bollywood hits such as Ya Ali from Gangster, Garg's sudden demise sent shockwaves through the music industry and left millions of fans grieving.
