The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Assam government regarding the bail plea of the event organiser arrested in connection with the death of singer Zubeen Garg. The organiser, identified as Mahanta, has been in judicial custody since his arrest on October 1, 2025.
Background of the Case
Mahanta was the organiser of a musical event where Zubeen Garg performed shortly before his death. The singer died on September 30, 2025, following a cardiac arrest. Investigations revealed that the event lacked adequate medical facilities, leading to charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against Mahanta.
The Assam Police arrested Mahanta on October 1, 2025, and he has been lodged in Guwahati Central Jail since then. His previous bail applications were rejected by both the trial court and the Gauhati High Court.
Supreme Court Proceedings
A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan heard the plea filed by Mahanta challenging the high court's order. Senior advocate representing Mahanta argued that his client was not directly responsible for the lack of medical arrangements and that he had been cooperative throughout the investigation.
“My client has been in custody for over eight months. The event was a community gathering, and he had no intention to cause harm,” the counsel submitted.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Assam government, returnable in four weeks, seeking its response on the bail plea. The court also directed the state to produce the case diary and relevant documents.
Impact and Reactions
The case has garnered widespread attention, with fans and artists demanding justice for Zubeen Garg. The Assam government has maintained that the investigation is thorough and that the accused must face trial.
According to legal experts, the Supreme Court's intervention could set a precedent for liability of event organisers in cases of medical negligence. “The court will weigh the severity of the offence against the period of custody already undergone,” said a senior criminal lawyer.
