The Kamrup (Metro) Chief Judicial Magistrate’s (CJM) Court today began proceedings in the much-discussed case related to the death of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. All seven accused in the case are scheduled to appear before the court through video conferencing, a step taken mainly to avoid any possible law and order problems.
The decision to allow virtual appearance was taken after the Assam Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) moved a special application before the court. In its plea, the CID pointed out that producing the accused physically on the first day of the hearing could lead to public unrest, given the emotional nature of the case and the strong public reaction it has generated across Assam.
Initially, the court had directed the police to produce all accused in person. However, after discussions between the prosecution team, the Director of Prosecution, and senior CID officials, the court agreed with the security concerns raised by the investigating agency. The magistrate then permitted the accused to appear virtually for the initial hearing. 
Tuesday’s hearing marks the formal beginning of the judicial process after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its chargesheet last week. Government advocate Pradip Konwar said the court will first verify the identities and health conditions of the accused. The magistrate is also expected to ensure that all accused receive copies of the chargesheet, as required under law.
The CID has been instructed to provide the chargesheet documents to the accused in the jails where they are currently lodged. Officials said this step is necessary before the case moves forward to the next stage.
At present, five of the accused are lodged at Baksa district jail. These include North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma, his cousin Sandipan Garg, who is an Assam Police Service officer, and two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya.
The remaining two accused drummer Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and co-singer Amritprava Mahanta are being held at Haflong sub-jail in Dima Hasao district.
The prosecution made it clear that virtual appearance has been allowed only for the initial phase of the case. Once the chief judicial magistrate completes preliminary procedures, the case will be transferred to a sessions court. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, serious criminal cases must be tried by a sessions court, where the physical presence of the accused will be compulsory during the trial.
