Guwahati: A fast-track sessions court in Guwahati will consider the bail request of Shyamkanu Mahanta on Wednesday, April 22, in the case involving the death of the well-known Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.
After withdrawing his previous bail request, Mahanta has moved the court again with a new plea, signalling a shift in his defence approach. Senior advocate Pran Bora is set to appear on his behalf during the hearing.
Meanwhile, the court will not hear the bail application of co-accused Siddharth Sharma on the same day, after noting inconsistencies in his submission. Judge Sharmila Bhuyan, who has been hearing the matter on a daily basis, has given Sharma’s legal team 24 hours to submit a corrected version of the plea.
Records show that Mahanta filed his latest bail application on April 10, shortly after the conclusion of polling for the Assam Assembly elections. In a parallel development, the Gauhati High Court has allowed the trial court to decide whether Mahabir Aqua, a company linked to Sharma, can resume its operations.
During the ongoing proceedings, the prosecution detailed multiple financial allegations against Sharma, accusing him of diverting large sums of money allegedly linked to Garg. It was claimed that funds were channelled under various heads, including expenses related to the construction of Garg’s residence in Kharguli.
The court was informed that a contractor was shown to have received Rs 70 lakh, while records indicate that only Rs 35 lakh was actually paid. The prosecution further alleged that a portion of the funds was used for personal expenses, including support for his partner and the purchase of items such as a scooter and a gold ring.
It was also noted that Rs 30,000 was being invested monthly through a systematic investment plan, forming part of the financial trail under scrutiny.