From Our Special Correspondent
GUWAHATI, April 30: The special fast-track court, constituted to conduct day-to-day trial proceedings in the Zubeen Garg death case, on Thursday rejected the bail plea of Shyamkanu Mahanta, organiser of the Northeast India Festival and a prime accused in the case.
The court, led by Sharmila Bhuyan, heard the arguments of both the prosecution and defence, before pronouncing the operative part of the order. Mahanta, who is in custody, had on April 10 filed a bail application before the fast-track court.
Speaking to mediapersons after the order, Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar said the fast-track court had pronounced only the operative portion of the order, while the detailed reasoned order was yet to be made available. “The court has taken serious note of the accused’s conduct after the incident (on September 19 last year) in Singapore, observing that instead of adhering with the law, the accused had moved from the place of occurrence (Singapore) to Malaysia,” Kamar said.
“The court considered this conduct (of Mahanta) seriously and viewed him as a flight risk. Therefore, on that ground, his bail has been rejected,” the Special Public Prosecutor said.
Kamar further stated that the prosecution had strongly argued that it was the accused who had supplied a liquor bottle to Zubeen Garg in the hotel lobby. “After consuming alcohol, Zubeen Garg became extremely drowsy and was in a vulnerable condition.
Further, despite knowing that Zubeen Garg was an epilepsy patient, he was allowed to enter the water (during the yacht trip), even though it was reportedly prohibited under the circumstances,” he said. “This fact was known to the accused, yet he was permitted to go into the water in that condition,” Kamar said, outlining the prosecution’s case.
Meanwhile, the late singer’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg shared an emotional post on social media after the court’s order. “We have full faith in God, and the system of the country, in the prayers, blessings and cooperation of the people.. You (referring to Zubeen Garg) will also see yourself Goldy.. And may there never be such a dangerous injustice with a pure, simple and simple being like you,” she stated.
