State tells Supreme Court Shyamkanu Mahanta pressured Zubeen Garg to go to Singapore; arranged women, alcohol

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the State of Assam to diligently proceed with the trial against Northeast Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, an accused in the case concerning the drowning death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. [Shyamkanu Mahanta v. State of Assam]

A Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan passed the direction while hearing a bail plea filed by Mahanta.

Mahanta, who has organised the Northeast Festival since 2013, was arrested after Garg died while swimming in Singapore on September 19, 2025

Today, Advocate General (AG) Devajit Saikia, representing the State of Assam, told the Court that the trial was proceeding on a day-to-day basis and that crucial witnesses were likely to be examined over the next few weeks.

“The prosecution shall be diligent in prosecuting this case,” the Court ordered.

Justice Nagarathna orally remarked that the Court was putting pressure on the State to proceed with the trial and would examine the progress made when the matter is heard next.

Garg drowned under alleged mysterious circumstances while swimming in Singaporean seas. Following the incident, multiple first information reports (FIRs) were registered alleging offences including criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide not amounting to murder against Mahanta and others.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Mahanta, argued that Garg had voluntarily entered the sea and that his client was not present when the incident occurred.

“Admittedly, the case of the prosecution is that this person, who is an adult, goes on to a boat and jumps into the sea wearing a life jacket. He swims and something happens to him and he drowns. Out of 394 witnesses, they have examined only 94. The trial has started. There are many FIRs which have been clubbed together,” Dave submitted.

Dave further argued that the incident had occurred in Singapore and that authorities there, after conducting a post-mortem examination, had concluded that Garg died by drowning.

“There is no murder,” he contended.

He also questioned the prosecution’s allegation that Mahanta was part of a conspiracy because he had failed to adequately look after Garg or had supplied him alcohol.

“He is an adult. If he wants to drink, there is very little I can do,” Dave submitted.

Justice Nagarathna then asked what motive Mahanta, who regularly organised festivals in the Northeast, could have had to eliminate the singer.

AG Saikia maintained that the death was not accidental. He alleged that Mahanta had arranged women and supplied alcohol to Garg before the incident. He also alleged that Mahanta had pressured Garg to travel to Singapore by threatening to die by suicide if the singer refused.

“There is a conspiracy involved,” the AG submitted.

After hearing both sides, the Court listed Mahanta’s bail plea for further hearing on October 5.

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