Guwahati, October 17: In a significant development in the high-profile case surrounding the death of Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg, the Gauhati High Court on Friday granted bail to Sandipan Garg, the late singer’s cousin and a suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police of the Assam Police. Sandipan, who has been in judicial custody for nearly a year, faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with allegations of criminal conspiracy.
Justice Rajesh Mazumdar of the Gauhati High Court allowed the bail petition after hearing detailed arguments from both the defence and the prosecution. The court observed that Sandipan’s arrest was primarily based on documentary and digital evidence, leaving little scope for the accused to tamper with the material already on record. The detailed order is yet to be uploaded, but advocates present in court indicated that the bench found no compelling grounds to keep him in continued custody at this stage.
Sandipan Garg, who was serving as the Co-District Superintendent of Police of Boko-Chhaygaon in Kamrup district at the time of his arrest, was suspended on October 8, 2025 — the same day he was taken into custody. He had accompanied Zubeen Garg to Singapore in mid-September 2025 for the fourth edition of the North East India Festival. On September 19, the singer died while swimming in the sea during a yacht outing organised as part of the festival activities. The incident triggered widespread public outrage across Assam and led to the registration of multiple FIRs, later consolidated into a Special Investigation Team probe under the Assam Police’s Criminal Investigation Department.
Seven individuals were eventually arrested in connection with the case. Besides Sandipan, the accused include North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma, band member Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, singer Amritprabha Mahanta, and two personal security officers. Amritprabha Mahanta was granted bail by the High Court on October 9. The two PSOs had earlier secured bail in a separate disproportionate assets case but remain linked to the main proceedings. Three key accused — Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma and Shekhar Jyoti Goswami — continue to remain in judicial custody.
Senior advocate Anan Kumar Bhuyan, who represented Sandipan, told reporters outside the court that a separate petition seeking to quash the chargesheet against his client is also pending before the High Court. He said the detailed grounds for the bail order would become clear once the full judgment is available. Special Public Prosecutor Z. Kamar confirmed that the bail had been granted but noted that the prosecution would examine the order carefully.
Sandipan is expected to be released only after the Durga Puja holidays. The High Court will remain closed from Saturday, and several administrative formalities, including submission of the bail order to the trial court, are yet to be completed. The main trial is being conducted on a day-to-day basis by a special fast-track court in Guwahati.
The development has drawn sharp reactions from student and civil society organisations. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) expressed strong dissatisfaction and urged the Assam government to challenge the bail order in the Supreme Court. AASU leaders argued that the gravity of the case, which involves the untimely death of a cultural figure deeply loved across the Northeast, demanded continued judicial scrutiny and that premature release of key accused could undermine public confidence in the investigation.
Zubeen Garg’s death on September 19, 2025, had plunged Assam into mourning. The singer-composer, known for his extraordinary range across Assamese, Bengali and Hindi music, as well as his outspoken persona, commanded a following that transcended generations. The circumstances of his death — occurring during a leisure outing in Singapore while he was scheduled to perform the following day — sparked intense speculation and multiple theories. Singapore authorities had earlier indicated they found no evidence of foul play, but Assam Police pursued the case under Indian law after more than 60 FIRs were filed across the state.
The investigation has remained under close public scrutiny. Political leaders across party lines, cultural organisations and ordinary fans have repeatedly demanded a transparent and thorough probe. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier assured that the government would leave no stone unturned to establish the truth.
Legal observers note that the High Court’s decision does not amount to an acquittal. Sandipan Garg will continue to face trial, and the special court will examine the full body of evidence, including witness statements, digital records and forensic material. The prosecution is expected to press for stringent conditions on the bail, including restrictions on travel and contact with witnesses.
As Assam observes Durga Puja with traditional fervour, the bail order has once again brought the Zubeen Garg case into sharp focus. For many, the singer remains a larger-than-life figure whose sudden death continues to raise unresolved questions. The coming weeks will show whether the High Court’s decision withstands further legal challenge and how the trial court proceeds with the remaining accused still in custody.