Zubeen Garg case: NEIF chief seeks SC intervention, cites media harassment

New Delhi: Shyam Kanu Mahanta, chief organiser of the North East India Festival (NEIF), has filed a petition before the Supreme Court alleging that he is being made a “scapegoat” amid public outrage over the death of Assam’s iconic singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore.

In his writ petition, the 53-year-old festival organiser claimed he is the target of a “well-calculated witch-hunt” fuelled by irresponsible media reporting, which he said has created a false narrative regarding his alleged involvement in the singer’s death.

The plea stated that Mahanta, who was organising the NEIF in Singapore from September 19-21, 2025, “was not even present at the place of occurrence of the unfortunate demise of the late singer.” According to the petition, on the morning of September 19, Mahanta was at the Shangri-La Hotel overseeing event arrangements and receiving dignitaries, including Chief Ministers and senior officials from the North East, when he was informed of the incident.

Media reports indicate that Garg died while engaging in a leisure activity on a yacht with family and friends. Singaporean authorities reportedly conducted an investigation and found “no element of foul play.”

The petition claimed that following the incident, Mahanta became the target of public anger and online threats, including death threats such as “Come home and we will burn you alive” and “If you step foot into Assam, we will cut you into small pieces.”

Mahanta also highlighted a resolution by the All Assam Lawyers’ Association urging lawyers not to represent accused persons in the case, arguing that it “undermines the very foundation of the criminal justice system” and the right to legal representation.

The petition sought the transfer of the investigation to a central agency such as the CBI or NIA, arguing that the ongoing probe under Assam officials “renders the investigation process futile,” with multiple FIRs filed in Assam and neighbouring states. It further criticised media reporting for running parallel investigations, pronouncing him guilty before any formal inquiry had begun.

Mahanta requested protection of his life and liberty, preservation of evidence from Singapore, and interim protection against further FIRs on the same matter. He contended that the continued proceedings “despite the absence of any Incriminating material in the jurisdiction where the alleged Incident occurred, amount to a gross abuse of the process of law and a violation of the petitioner's fundamental rights, particularly the right to life coupled with the right to fair Investigation and trial under Article 21 of the Constitution.”

IANS