Top court turns down bid to move trial outside Assam
Guwahati: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed an application by accused Siddharth Sharma seeking that his trial in the case linked to the death of singer Zubeen Garg be transferred outside Assam. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan heard the matter and admonished the state to ensure swift progress in the prosecution.
A statement issued by Assam Police confirmed that the plea by Sharma, who is one of seven persons arrested in the case, was rejected by the highest court. Sharma remains in judicial custody. He was reportedly present on the yacht when Zubeen Garg died while swimming off Singapore on 19 September last year, the incident for which the trial has been mounted.
“The prosecution shall be diligent in prosecuting this case,”
The bench emphasised the need for an expeditious trial and said it would monitor developments when the matter returns to court. Justice Nagarathna observed that the court was exerting pressure on the state to ensure that proceedings move forward and indicated it would review progress at the next listing.
Earlier this year in May, the Gauhati High Court had declined a bail application by Sharma, noting concerns that release could open avenues to influence witnesses, impede the investigation and increase the risk of absconding. The Supreme Court order now keeps the trial within Assam’s jurisdiction.
Other hearings and next dates
The apex court on 17 August deferred the bail plea of another key accused, Shyamkanu Mahanta, and set 5 October for further hearing. The bench directed the Assam government to prosecute the matter diligently and to ensure steady progress in the case file.
- Number of accused: Seven have been arrested in connection with the matter.
- Status of Siddharth Sharma: In custody; transfer plea dismissed by the Supreme Court.
- Next hearing: Bail plea of Shyamkanu Mahanta listed for 5 October.
Background and regional context
Zubeen Garg, an influential singer from Assam, had travelled to Singapore to perform at the fourth edition of the North East India Festival, where he reportedly drowned during a swim. The case has drawn intense attention across Assam and the wider North-East because of Garg’s cultural stature and the overseas circumstances of his death.
The decision to refuse a transfer of trial keeps legal proceedings anchored in Assam, where local investigative and prosecutorial authorities are conducting the case. That has implications for witness testimony, evidence presentation and logistical arrangements for a trial that involves events that occurred in a foreign jurisdiction.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident date | 19 September last year (in Singapore) |
| Accused mentioned | Siddharth Sharma, Shyamkanu Mahanta (others arrested: total seven) |
| Supreme Court action | Dismissed transfer petition by Siddharth Sharma; urged diligent prosecution |
| Next listed date | 5 October (for Shyamkanu Mahanta's bail plea) |
The apex court’s insistence on prompt prosecution places responsibility on the Assam government and the investigating agencies to expedite case-related tasks such as evidence collection, witness coordination, filing of charges and ensuring the safety of witnesses. For a case involving an incident abroad, co-operation with foreign authorities and careful admissibility checks of overseas evidence become particularly important.
The matter continues to command public attention in the state, where Garg’s body of work and his public profile have made the case a focal point of concern for supporters and the wider cultural community. Legal observers in the region will watch the October hearing closely to see whether the trial proceeds without further delays and how the prosecution addresses the cross-border aspects of the investigation.
The Supreme Court order maintains the trial venue in Assam while underscoring a clear expectation for efficient conduct of proceedings. The next hearings in the case will determine how quickly the matter moves toward trial and final adjudication.
