Bail Hearing for Shyamkanu Mahanta in Zubeen Garg Case Continues
Ongoing Bail Proceedings for Shyamkanu Mahanta
File image of Shyamkanu Mahanta outside a local court (AT Image)
Guwahati, April 22: The special fast-track court is currently hearing a new bail application for Shyamkanu Mahanta, who is a key figure in the case concerning the death of renowned Assamese artist Zubeen Garg.
The court has focused solely on Mahanta's latest bail request, instructing that the bail application for co-accused Siddharth Sharma be re-submitted due to inaccuracies in the affidavit provided by his legal representative.
According to a member of the prosecution team, “The court is hearing Mahanta's bail plea today. A new application for Siddharth Sharma must be filed as the previous one contained errors.”
During the morning session, Mahanta's attorney is expected to present arguments supporting the bail request, after which the government lawyer will counter the plea.
“In the afternoon, the government lawyer will discuss the charges against the accused,” the prosecutor noted, indicating that the hearing might conclude later in the day, with the judge potentially reserving the decision.
Senior advocate Pran Borah is representing Mahanta, while Rajdeep Banerjee participated via video link.
“Typically, when a new lawyer is appointed, it suggests a move from the family, as Borah has taken charge of the bail hearing today,” the prosecutor added.
Outside the court, Mahanta's wife, Anita Deka Mahanta, vocally defended her husband, asserting his innocence and claiming he has been unjustly imprisoned for seven months.
“My husband is innocent. An innocent man is in jail. An injustice has been done to him,” she stated.
She emphasized that even in a country like Singapore, known for its strict laws, the incident has been labeled an accident, yet Mahanta remains incarcerated under murder charges.
According to her, Mahanta's sole aim was to showcase Assam and the Northeast's culture on a global stage.
“His only intention was to represent Assam and share our rich traditions with the world. This is why he has been arrested,” she claimed.
Regarding Zubeen Garg, she mentioned that the singer willingly traveled to Singapore to promote Assamese culture, not under any coercion.
“Zubeen went to Singapore on his own to promote Assamese culture. I cannot believe anyone could force him to do something against his will,” she remarked.
She also refuted claims about a yacht party, stating that Mahanta was unaware of it.
“Shyam Kanu Mahanta had no knowledge of the yacht party. At the time of the incident, he was attending a meeting nearly 50 kilometers away. I was also present in Singapore for that event,” she explained.
When asked about the accommodation arrangements, she clarified that Garg was housed in a top hotel in Singapore, conveniently located near a major hospital.
“There was no plan for a yacht party while Garg was here. It was organized there, and during the party, Mahanta was in a meeting 50 kilometers away,” she added.
Mahanta, previously having sought bail but later retracting his request, has now submitted a fresh application at a critical juncture in the trial, which is being conducted daily.