The prosecution in the death case of noted singer Zubeen Garg entered a new phase today with the first appearance of the newly appointed Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Ziaul Kamar in court. Family members of the late singer said they are hopeful that the case will now move forward in a stronger and more focused manner.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, Zubeen Garg’s sister Garima Saikia Garg said the new prosecution team, headed by SPP Ziaul Kamar, formally took charge of the case today. “Today was his first appearance. He has taken charge and collected the case papers. Since the chargesheet is very bulky, the team has sought time to go through it properly,” she said.
Garima Garg said that five accused persons filed bail petitions in court on Thursday. “Earlier, three of the accused had filed bail applications. Today, all five filed bail petitions. The bail objections will be heard on January 22,” she said, adding that the next dates of hearing are January 22 and January 30. 
She specifically mentioned that accused Shyamkanu Mahanta has also moved a bail petition. “I did not see any remorse in them. This is very painful for us,” she said.
Expressing strong faith in the new prosecution team, Garima Garg said, “We have full confidence and faith in the government advocates’ team led by SPP Ziaul Kamar. Since they have taken charge today, they will study the entire chargesheet carefully and lead the case strongly.”
In an emotional statement, she demanded strict punishment for those accused in the case. “I want the strongest of the strongest punishment for them. They should get the devil’s punishment. This should be God’s justice,” she said.
Garima Garg also spoke about parallel developments abroad, stating that a separate investigation was carried out in Singapore. “While we were in Singapore, we followed the suo motu case there. I gave whatever statements were required. That investigation is independent and has no connection with the Indian investigation. They only looked into what happened on that particular day. It is not a trial, it is a testimony,” she explained.
She stressed that the investigation in India is the main process. “Here, everything will be investigated; what happened, how it happened, and why it happened. In our country, motive is very important. As Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also said earlier, there has been a motive for many years, and all these aspects must be properly investigated,” she said.
Referring to Sandipan Garg, Garima Garg said, “As a brother and as a police officer, he must speak the truth. It is his responsibility towards his brother and his family to tell the truth.”
According to court records, bail applications of Shyamkanu Mahanta and Nandeswar Bora were filed on Thursday. Earlier, Amritprabha Mahanta, Sandipan Garg, and Paresh Baishya had also filed bail pleas. The government advocate sought time from the court, and the next hearing on the bail matter is scheduled for January 22. Charges are expected to be framed against seven accused persons on January 30.
Meanwhile, sister Palme Borthakur, said the family felt encouraged after meeting the new legal team. “Today we got motivation from our team. They gave us trust and confidence. We believe we can continue this fight more strongly,” she said.
The family reiterated that they will continue to pursue the case until justice is delivered.
