In a significant development, the seven individuals charged in connection with the death of renowned singer Zubeen Garg will be presented before a court in Guwahati via virtual means. This decision aims to avert any potential disturbances to public order that could arise from their physical appearance in court.
Virtual Hearing to Ensure Security
The accused are scheduled to appear before the court of the chief judicial magistrate in Kamrup (Metro) district on Tuesday. This marks the inaugural hearing since the Assam Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its chargesheet last Friday. The court initially ordered the physical production of the accused. However, the CID wing of Assam Police filed a special petition, requesting permission for a virtual appearance. They argued that bringing the accused to court in person could create a law and order situation and lead to public harassment.
Government advocate Pradip Konwar explained the court's decision. After a detailed discussion with the government advocate and the director of prosecution, the court granted the plea for virtual production. During this session, the court will also inquire about the health and well-being of the accused. Furthermore, copies of the chargesheet will be formally served to them. The CID has been instructed to hand over these documents to the accused within the jails where they are currently held.
Where Are the Accused Currently Lodged?
The seven accused are detained in two separate locations. Five of them are in the district jail located in Baksa district. This group includes:
- Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organiser of the North East India Festival in Singapore.
- Siddharth Sharma, Zubeen Garg's manager.
- Sandipon Garg, Zubeen's brother who is an APS officer.
- Personal Security Officers (PSOs) Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya.
The remaining two accused, Zubeen's drummer Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and co-singer Amritprava Mahanta, are lodged in the sub-jail at Haflong in Dima Hasao district.
Physical Appearance Mandatory for Trial
Advocate Konwar clarified that the virtual appearance is a measure specific to this initial stage. Once the case is committed to the sessions court for trial, as per legal procedure, all the accused will be required to appear physically before the judge. Under the provisions of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the chief judicial magistrate commits a case to a court of sessions for trial, which involves formally sending the case to the higher court.
This case has drawn immense public attention across Assam and the Northeast, given Zubeen Garg's iconic status. The authorities are taking meticulous steps to ensure the judicial process proceeds smoothly without any external disruptions. The virtual hearing on Tuesday sets the stage for the formal legal proceedings to commence in this high-profile case.
