GUWAHATI: A fast-track court on Tuesday, May 26, framed charges against all seven accused in the death case of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, with four individuals facing murder charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
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The charges were framed by the court presided over by Justice Sharmila Bhuyan following the submission of the chargesheet by the prosecution.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, special public prosecutor Ziaul Kamar confirmed that the court had formally taken cognisance of the charges against all accused persons named in the case.
According to the prosecution, murder charges under Sections 103 (murder), 3 (common intention), and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the BNS were framed against Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma, band member Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, and singer Amritprabha Mahanta.
Apart from the murder charges, additional sections were also invoked against several accused. Shyamkanu Mahanta was charged under Sections 308 (extortion), 318 (cheating), and 238 (destruction of evidence). Siddharth Sharma and Shekhar Jyoti Goswami were additionally booked under Section 316 relating to criminal breach of trust, while Amritprabha Mahanta also faces charges under Section 238 for alleged destruction of evidence.
The court also framed separate charges against the remaining accused in the case. Garg’s cousin Sandipan Garg was charged under Section 105, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya were charged under Sections 61 and 316.
The prosecution informed the court that the trial is scheduled to commence on June 8.
During the proceedings, lawyers representing the accused sought bail, requesting the court to grant relief to their clients. Opposing the plea, Advocate General Devajit Saikia argued on behalf of the prosecution and urged the court to reject the bail applications.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the court reserved its order on the bail pleas and fixed May 29 for pronouncement of the order.