Bail Hearing Delayed for Shyamkanu Mahanta in Zubeen Garg Case
Bail Petition Hearing Postponed
File image of Prime accused in Zubeen Garg's case Shyamkanu Mahanta arrested by Assam Police (Photo: AT)
Guwahati, May 13: The bail petition hearing for Shyamkanu Mahanta, a key suspect in the case concerning the death of Assam's cultural figure Zubeen Garg, was unable to proceed in the Gauhati High Court on Wednesday. This was due to Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia recusing himself from the case.
The petition was scheduled as item number five on Justice Saikia's agenda, with expectations for a final hearing that day.
Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar confirmed that the judge opted not to hear the case.
“The hearing was listed as item number five before Justice Saikia's court. However, when the case was called, the court announced that it would not take up the matter and recused itself,” Kamar explained.
He noted that the court instructed for the case to be reassigned to a suitable bench.
Kamar stated that no further actions regarding the bail petition would occur before the same bench, as the judge had already indicated a desire to avoid the case.
“No additional procedures concerning the petition will occur before this bench since the judge has expressed a wish to step back from the case, possibly for personal reasons,” the Special Public Prosecutor added.
Regarding the next steps and potential hearing dates, Kamar mentioned that the timeline now rests solely with the registry of the Gauhati High Court.
“The registry will determine when the next hearing will be scheduled. Mahanta’s lawyer may reach out to the registry since they have traveled from Kolkata. The case will be listed once the registry sets a date, which could be announced at any time,” he said.
Previously, a fast-track court in Guwahati had denied Mahanta’s bail request after considering arguments from both parties.
The prosecution opposed the bail, highlighting the gravity of the charges and the ongoing investigation, while the defense contended that Mahanta had been cooperative with investigators and that further custodial interrogation was unnecessary.
After the lower court's bail denial, Mahanta sought relief from the Gauhati High Court.