The trial of the seven accused in the Zubeen Garg death case commenced in the Kamrup (Metro) District and Sessions Court in Guwahati on Monday, December 22, 2025. All seven accused appeared virtually before the court. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 3, 2026, to consider the framing of charges against the accused.
During the hearing on Monday, the Kamrup District and Sessions Court examined the accused via video conferencing. The court fixed January 3, 2026, as the next date of hearing. On that day, the court will take up the matter of framing charges. The court will also seek the production of the accused, either physically or online, to ask whether they plead guilty or choose to face trial.
The seven accused include Shyamkanu Mahanta, chief organiser of the North East India Festival (NEIF); Siddhartha Sharma, the singer's secretary; Sandipan Garg, his cousin; and personal security officers (PSOs) Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya. These individuals appeared from Baksa Jail. Musician Shekharjyoti Goswami and singer Amritprava Mahanta joined the proceedings online from Haflong Jail. Advocate Dhrubajyoti Das appeared before the court on behalf of the accused. Amritprava Mahanta was represented by a separate counsel, Advocate Gabriel Sahu.
Zubeen Garg died on September 19, 2025, in Singapore, where he had traveled to attend the North East India Festival (NEIF). He died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case had filed a 2,500-page chargesheet before the Kamrup CJM Court on December 12. The SIT has charged Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddhartha Sharma, Shekharjyoti Goswami, and Amritprava Mahanta with murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sandipan Garg, a suspended Assam Police officer, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The two PSOs, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya, face charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust by misappropriating funds.
The chargesheet cites excessive alcohol consumption during a late-night gathering and a subsequent yacht outing. The SIT alleges that Shyamkanu Mahanta supplied alcohol, and Amrit Prabha Mahanta facilitated its continued consumption throughout the night and encouraging risky behavior at sea.
Zubeen Garg's sister, Palmee Borthakur, was present in court during the hearing. She told reporters that the family has full faith in the judiciary and hopes that justice will prevail.
The case, registered under Sessions Case No. 256/2025, will now proceed under the purview of the court. A total of 394 witnesses are expected to be examined during the trial.
