Shyamkanu Mahanta, a pivotal figure in the controversy surrounding the death of Assam’s musical icon Zubeen Garg, has approached the Supreme Court just before his recent arrest. This strategic legal maneuver occurred while Mahanta was in Singapore on September 30, 2025, where he filed a petition with the Apex Court.
The petition, submitted through advocate Raj Kamal, is viewed as a preemptive effort to ensure legal protection upon his return to India. This move came just a day before he was taken into custody by Assam Police on October 1 after arriving in New Delhi.
Following his arrest, Mahanta’s immediate legal options now involve seeking regular bail through lower courts. This process will likely face intense scrutiny given the ongoing investigations by Assam Police, along with potential involvement from central agencies.
The case has drawn significant national attention, with authorities maintaining a strict confidentiality policy regarding the ongoing investigations. Mahanta’s Supreme Court petition and subsequent arrest have introduced a crucial legal layer to this high-profile matter, illustrating how issues of public interest are increasingly engaging national judicial forums.
Additionally, Assam Police have filed murder charges against Zubeen Garg’s manager, Siddharth Sharma, alongside Mahanta, in connection with the case. Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta, who heads the special investigation team (SIT), confirmed on Thursday that new charges have been added. “We have incorporated Section 103 of the BNS into the FIR. The investigation is ongoing, and I cannot disclose further details,” Gupta stated.
Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita outlines the penalties for murder, which may result in either death or life imprisonment, along with potential fines.
