A mural of late singer Zubeen Garg and late poet Hiren Bhattacharyya unveiled by students of Cotton University during Bohagi Utsav, in Guwahati, Assam, on May 8, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
A special fast-track court on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) framed charges against all seven accused in the alleged murder of cultural icon Zubeen Garg, which sparked outrage and protests across Assam.
Special public prosecutor Ziaul Kamar told journalists that the court of Judge Sharmila Bhuyan framed the charges based on the charge sheet filed by the Assam police’s Special Investigation Team in December 2025. The charges, under multiple sections, relate to criminal conspiracy, murder, extortion, cheating, criminal breach of trust, and destruction of evidence.
“From today [Tuesday], there will be no miscellaneous hearing. The trial in the main case will be held daily from June 8, unless the accused persons approach the Gauhati High Court and secure a stay order,” he said.
Murder or accident
Garg was 52 when he died while swimming off an island in Singapore on September 19, 2025. He had travelled to Singapore to attend a festival organised by Shyamkanu Mahanta, who is one of the accused. In December 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the State Assembly that Garg was murdered as part of a conspiracy. However, a Singapore coroner’s inquiry report said he had drowned accidentally.
Four of the accused — the event organiser, Mr. Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma, band-mate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, and singer Amritprabha Mahanta — have been charged with murder.
Of the other three accused, Garg’s cousin and police officer Sandipan Garg has additionally been charged under provisions related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
‘Truth will prevail’
The singer-composer’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, welcomed the court order and expressed confidence in the judicial process. “Truth will prevail in the fight for justice. We have complete faith and trust in the legal system,” she said.
In the Assembly, the Chief Minister slammed the Congress and its allies for allegedly trying to capitalise on Garg’s death during the run-up to the April 9 Assembly election.
“Zubeen Garg was our heartthrob and Assam’s asset. He influenced generations of Assamese youth through his music and public life,” Mr. Sarma said.
Published – May 26, 2026 10:50 pm IST
