'Discharge hearing at crucial stage, prosecution on track': AG on Zubeen Garg case
Advocate General says case focuses solely on murder angle, govt rejects attempts to link unrelated commercial allegations
Arrival of Zubeen Garg's mortal remains in Guwahati. (Photo: Adil Hussain/X)
Guwahati, April 1: Proceedings in the fast-track court hearing into the circumstances surrounding the death of Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg continued for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, with Assam government reiterating that the case is being treated with “top priority”.
Speaking to the press after attending the hearing, Assam Advocate General Devajit Saikia said the case has now reached a crucial stage, with arguments currently centred on the point of discharge.
“The case is going on, and there has been a day-to-day hearing now on the point of discharge. The special prosecution team led by Ziaul Kamar is taking the case ahead systematically,” Saikia said.
He added that the state government is closely monitoring proceedings to ensure transparency and procedural integrity.
“As Assam government’s Advocate General, I was present in court today, along with Director of Prosecution Makhan Phukan. We are reviewing and inspecting to ensure no irregularities remain in the case. The prosecution team is very competent,” he said.
Saikia said he personally observed court proceedings for over an hour, underlining the seriousness with which the government is treating the matter.
“I almost observed and sat in the court for about one-and-a-half hours. Assam government has given the case its top priority,” he added.
According to him, the seven-member prosecution team has been closely documenting all arguments and observations made during the hearing.
“The team has been noting all the observations as well as arguments made by the defence. We will counter their arguments once they are done, and if necessary, I will also make remarks before the court,” he said.
Calling the matter sub-judice, Saikia refrained from commenting in detail on the merits of the case but maintained confidence in the prosecution’s position.
“We have filed a very strong chargesheet, and the process to determine its strength has already begun in court. The discharge hearing is expected to conclude within a week,” he said.
He clarified that the case is focused specifically on determining whether Garg's death constitutes a case of murder, dismissing attempts to link it with unrelated commercial allegations.
“The ongoing case is about whether it is a murder or not. Commercial allegations of petrol pumps and water projects have nothing to do with it,” Saikia stated.
He further informed that the court has been conducting extensive hearings daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, indicating the scale and complexity of the case.
“It is difficult to forecast the number of days required because it will take at least four to five days for the special public prosecutor to establish the matter. There are multiple witnesses, and we also have to produce electronic evidence, bank statements, and place laws relating to the point of discharge,” he said.
The chargesheet, he added, includes details of witnesses as well as the accused, forming the basis for the current stage of arguments.
The fast-track court proceedings began on March 30, amid heightened public attention and demands for clarity on the circumstances leading to the icon's death.
On the first day of hearing, the court formally took cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the prosecution, following which arguments on the point of discharge commenced.