Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Amritprabha Mahanta walked out of Haflong sub-jail this Tuesday, October 13. She spent time behind bars as one of seven people accused in the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. The Gauhati High Court granted her bail four days earlier. Justice Pranjal Das set the terms on Friday, October 9. Mahanta had to post a bond of Rs 50,000 and provide two sureties of the same amount. Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar confirmed the details to the press. The prosecution presented arguments over four to five days before the court reserved its order.
Garg died on September 19, 2025. He was 52. He drowned while swimming in the sea off Singapore during the North East India Festival. His death sparked massive protests across Assam. People demanded a full investigation. The Assam government formed a Special Investigation Team to handle the case. Officials arrested several people who joined Garg on his trip. This group included festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, manager Siddhartha Sharma, and band members like Shekhar Jyoti Goswami.
Mahanta and Goswami were held at Haflong sub-jail. Other suspects remain at Tamulpur jail. Investigators eventually filed a chargesheet. They accused Amritprabha Mahanta, Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddhartha Sharma, and Shekhar Jyoti Goswami of murder. Garg’s cousin, Sandipan Garg, faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya, were charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust. These officers previously secured bail in a separate financial case.
Mahanta is the first person to get bail in the primary death case. The court has not cleared her of the charges. According to Ziaul Kamar, "Mahanta’s bail does not amount to an acquittal." Legal proceedings continue for all involved parties. The court will determine their guilt as the trial moves forward.
Updated at 13th October 2026 at 10:46am
The High Court wrapped up arguments on the bail petition last Wednesday before reserving the final order for Friday.
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