Fast-track court to hear bail plea and related petition on April 22 amid heightened public attention
Guwahati: A renewed bail attempt by one of the key accused in the death case of singer Zubeen Garg has brought the matter back into focus, just a day after polling concluded in Assam.
Shyamkanu Mahanta, who remains in judicial custody, moved a fresh bail application before a special fast-track court in Guwahati. The court, presided over by Judge Sharmila Bhuyan, took up the matter amid strong public interest surrounding the case.
At the same time, his wife, Anita Deka Mahanta, filed a separate plea seeking the return of items seized during the investigation. She claimed that the materials in question are personal belongings and not relevant to the case.
During Friday’s proceedings, Special Public Prosecutor Ziaur Kamar requested additional time to respond to both petitions. The court accepted the request and scheduled the next hearing for April 22. The prosecution is expected to file its formal objections to the bail plea before that date.
This is not Mahanta’s first attempt at securing bail. He had earlier approached the court but chose to withdraw his application at an earlier stage. The case is currently being heard on a day-to-day basis by the fast-track court.
The investigation into the incident, carried out by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police’s CID, led to a chargesheet against seven individuals in December. Among them, four accused, including Mahanta, face murder charges.
Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had described the case as a “plain and simple murder,” underlining the state’s stance as the legal proceedings continue.
Also Read: Telangana HC Grants Pawan Khera One-Week Anticipatory Bail in Assam FIR Case
