Second Hearing in Zubeen Garg's Death Case Held Virtually in Guwahati

Guwahati Court Reviews Zubeen Garg Case

Guwahati, Dec 22: The ongoing investigation into the death of Assam's cultural figure Zubeen Garg was revisited during its second hearing at the District and Sessions Court in Guwahati on Monday. All seven defendants participated via video link due to concerns regarding public safety.

Similar to the initial hearing on December 16, the accused were present through virtual means.

During the session, the court instructed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to provide physical copies of the charge sheet to the defendants, who expressed challenges in accessing the document in its digital form.

Despite a prior request from the Lawyers’ Association advising against representation of the accused, advocate Gabriel Sahoo represented Amritprabha. However, he did not submit a bail application during the hearing.

The Lawyers’ Association had previously made this request on September 26, following Garg’s unexpected and mysterious passing. The next court date is set for January 3.

The SIT's charge sheet reportedly spans nearly 12,000 pages and was submitted on pen drives. The court mandated that hard copies be provided within a week.

Later, concerns regarding the case's management were raised, with legal professionals highlighting significant infrastructural deficiencies.

Advocate Apurba Sharma, a member of the Lawyers’ Association, noted that the charge sheet was submitted via pen drive, despite the public prosecutor's office lacking a computer to access it.

“How can a public prosecutor review nearly 12,000 pages without adequate resources?” Sharma questioned, labeling the situation unfortunate.

With the next hearing approaching in less than two weeks, Sharma expressed doubts about the prosecution's ability to prepare effectively.

“In the next 10 to 12 days, how will the public prosecutor read and analyze a 12,000-page charge sheet? There is only one government advocate managing the case, and he lacks even a laptop,” he stated.

He also mentioned that the Lawyers’ Association plans to submit a memorandum to the government on December 23, urging for expedited proceedings. “We seek daily hearings, which necessitate a competent team of public prosecutors,” he added.

Advocates Amitabh Baruah and Prabin Kumar are expected to join senior advocate and public prosecutor Dhrubajyoti Das in the case.

Emphasizing the emotional weight of the case, Sharma urged the government to treat it with the seriousness it deserves.

“This is Zubeen Da’s case. The public has a deep emotional connection to it. If the government genuinely seeks justice, it must ensure at least basic facilities and a comprehensive prosecution team,” he asserted.

It was also noted that Monday's hearing was conducted virtually, and the upcoming January 3 session may follow the same format.

“It remains uncertain whether the next hearing will be in person or virtual, but there is a likelihood it will be online,” Sharma mentioned.

Meanwhile, Pamee Borthakur, the late singer’s sister, expressed optimism for a swift resolution to the case.

“The next hearing is on January 3. We hope for a quick resolution, which would benefit everyone involved. We trust in the court and the government to uphold that trust,” she stated.

When asked if she sensed any remorse from the accused, Borthakur found it challenging to gauge since they appeared virtually.

“They all appeared fine. Since they were visible on the screen, I couldn’t detect any remorse,” she concluded.