Guwahati, Feb 27 (PTI) The Assam government’s decision to request the Gauhati High Court to set up a fast-track court to expedite the trial in the Zubeen Garg death case was welcomed by the celebrated singer’s wife on Friday.
Garima Saikia Garg said that the family, along with fans and well-wishers, wants the most stringent punishment for those responsible for his death.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that the state Cabinet has decided to request the Gauhati High Court to constitute a fast-track court. He added that the decision was taken following a request from Garg’s family, although the government was satisfied with the existing court where the case is currently being heard.
Garg died while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19 last year, where he had gone to attend the 4th North East India Festival.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police’s CID investigated the case and filed a charge sheet before a local court in Guwahati, naming seven accused.
Reacting to the Cabinet’s decision, Garima told reporters, “We want the case to proceed in a watertight manner and the most stringent punishment to be handed down to the accused. We hope the judge will consider this a special case.”
“We do not want any of the accused to get bail. No one who loved Zubeen Garg would want that,” she said, referring to the Chief Minister’s claim that there was a “design” by a media group and the Congress to change the judge and secure bail for the accused before the election to blame the BJP.
Garima maintained that the SIT’s “flawless enquiry” led to the identification of the accused and submission of the charge sheet.
“The Chief Minister had also said that Zubeen’s death was planned long ago, and the SIT has stated the same. Everything is there. It only needs to be established in court, which is why we asked for a special court,” she added.
Sarma had claimed on February 22 that a “conspiracy” was underway regarding the public demand for a fast-track court in the case.
On February 16, Garima and Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar had expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of proceedings in the Kamrup Metropolitan District and Sessions Court, with the trial yet to begin.
NEIF chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer’s manager Siddharth Sharma, and band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta have been charged with murder. His cousin and suspended Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Garg’s two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, are also in jail, charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust for allegedly misappropriating entrusted funds or property. (PTI)