GUWAHATI | Hundreds of people gathered at Zubeen Khetra in Sonapur on Thursday, demanding justice for Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg, a day before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear matters concerning bail for prime accused Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma in connection with the singer’s death.

The protest was organised by the Zubeen Garg Nyay Samiti and led by Raijor Dal. Participants raised slogans including “Himanta Biswa Sarma Hai Hai”, “Joi Zubeen Da” and “Joi Aai Axom”, expressing dissatisfaction over the investigation and demanding accountability.

Addressing the gathering, Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi described November 6 as a crucial day for Assamese society and warned that the agitation would intensify if the two prime accused were granted bail.

“They have to send Amritparabha and Sandipan back to jail. And if the prime accused get bail tomorrow in Supreme Court, we will intensify our protests. We’ll protest every single day against the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government. Tomorrow is a very important day for Assamese society,” Gogoi said.

Raijor Dal leader Gyanshree Bora questioned the progress of the investigation and urged the state government to ensure that the accused were not released. She also demanded further investigation and an additional chargesheet.

“The investigation conducted by the SIT has not yielded the desired results. We demand that the SIT file another chargesheet. The accused should not be released under any circumstances,” she said.

Several youth representatives, including Bidyut Saikia, Bikash Asom, Marsel Baruah and Sarat Sourav, also addressed the gathering, demanding justice for the late singer.

Saikia raised questions about the investigation, alleging that several statements made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had not been incorporated into the chargesheet. He claimed that the omission had contributed to the bail granted to Amritprabha Mahanta and Sandipan Garg.

Expressing concern over the November 6 hearing, Saikia warned that granting bail to Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma could trigger widespread public anger across Assam.

SIT plans to challenge earlier bail orders

The protest comes amid continuing legal developments in the case. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Garg’s death had announced on October 18 that it would challenge the bail orders granted to Amritprabha Mahanta and Sandipan Garg before the Supreme Court.

SIT chief Munna Prasad Gupta had said the Gauhati High Court’s orders would be challenged after the courts reopened following the holidays.

The Gauhati High Court granted bail to Sandipan Garg on October 16, observing that there was limited scope for him to tamper with the evidence. Amritprabha Mahanta was granted bail on October 9 after the court heard arguments from both sides.

The Supreme Court proceedings scheduled for November 6 are being closely watched in Assam, where demands for justice for Zubeen Garg continue to fuel public protests and political mobilisation.