Court Rulings in Zubeen Garg Case: Key Developments and Reactions

Significant Court Orders in Zubeen Garg's Case

Guwahati, March 2: On Monday, the District and Sessions Judge's Court in Guwahati issued several crucial rulings concerning the high-profile case surrounding the death of Zubeen Garg, a celebrated figure in Assam's cultural landscape.

The court granted a petition to unfreeze the bank account of accused Shyamkanu Mahanta, highlighting flaws in the investigative process.

It noted that investigators had neglected essential protocols while freezing the account and pointed out violations of Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

While the prosecution argued that these procedural errors were merely technical and requested the court to overlook them, the judge remarked that lawful recourse could still be pursued if the correct legal arguments were presented.

Additionally, the court instructed the prosecution to provide the defence with a copy of a 16GB pen drive within a week.

In a separate matter, the defence's request for access to the so-called 'Singapore files' was denied.

The court stated that the documents referenced by the Singapore Police did not conform to India's criminal procedure laws and noted that all evidence gathered in Assam had already been shared with the defence.

The judge also mandated that the apartment of another accused, Siddhartha Sarma, remain attached for two years or until further notice, due to the lack of a bank guarantee for the property.

Furthermore, Sarma was ordered to submit a demand draft of Rs 16 lakh at the CID police station as a prerequisite for reopening the sealed apartment.

According to investigators, Sarma is accused of misappropriating Rs 16 lakh belonging to Garg and using it to purchase the apartment.

Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar announced that remand proceedings and the charge hearing are set for March 13, following the document review.

He added, 'A separate hearing regarding the Mahabir Aqua case is scheduled for March 19.'

After the hearing, Garg's wife, Garima Saikia Garg, expressed her discontent over the decision to unfreeze Mahanta's account, claiming that the defence is exploiting technicalities to stall the proceedings.

'The unfreezing of Mahanta's account is troubling. The defence has been attempting to delay the process,' she stated.

Garima also mentioned that she had not received any updates regarding the proposed fast-track court arrangement.

Earlier this week, the Assam Cabinet approved the establishment of a dedicated fast-track court to facilitate daily hearings in this case.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated that the state government would formally petition the Gauhati High Court to set up a specialized sessions court under Section 346(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to expedite the trial.

The case continues to attract significant public interest throughout Assam, with demands for a prompt and transparent judicial process.