The Supreme Court on Monday directed the completion of the examination of crucial witnesses in singer Zubeen Garg’s death case trial within two months, as it deferred the hearing on the bail plea of his event manager in the matter until October.
He argued it was a case of drowning and pointed out that of 394 witnesses, only 94 have been examined. He added that the state is pursuing the case as it is more of an emotive issue and it has given assurance to punish those responsible for the popular singer’s death. Garg’s death sparked outrage among his fans, who demanded an independent probe into the circumstances leading to his drowning. He requested a court-monitored probe in the matter.
Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, who appeared for Mahanta, said that his client was not present at the spot where Garg died. Dave said the eyewitnesses in Singapore have not been examined.
Last year, Mahanta moved the Supreme Court to transfer the probe in the case from Assam Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) to a central agency.
