‘The Entire Boat Has a Leak’: Garima Saikia Garg Questions Bail Granted to Key Accused in Zubeen Garg Death Case

Protests demanding justice in the death of beloved Assamese singer Zubeen Garg began at Zubeen Khetra in Sonapur today, with the Zubeen Garg Fan Club organising a demonstration. Extending her full support to the protest, Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, also participated in the agitation and raised serious questions over the bail granted to an accused in the case, alleged attempts to tamper with evidence and the progress of the investigation.

Expressing her anguish over the latest developments, Garima said the family had consistently placed its faith in the judicial process and expected the investigation to proceed in the right direction. However, the grant of bail to an accused in the case has raised serious concerns about the strength of the chargesheet and the possibility of loopholes in the investigation.

“The entire boat has a leak now. We had always remained peaceful, placing our faith in the judicial system. But how could the key accused in Zubeen Garg’s death case manage to get bail?” Garima questioned.

She said the family had believed that the government possessed sufficient evidence in connection with Zubeen’s death, particularly after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made statements in the Assembly about how and why the incident had occurred.

“We thought the government had enough evidence in Zubeen’s death case. The Chief Minister had stated in the Assembly why and how Zubeen was killed. We believed that he had substantial evidence. The Chief Minister had also spoken about filing a watertight chargesheet. If the chargesheet was so strong, how did the key accused manage to get bail? Where were the loopholes in such a strong chargesheet?” she asked.

Garima also raised allegations concerning videos reportedly recorded by Amritprabha Mahanta while aboard the yacht at the time of the incident. She alleged that several videos had been recorded but were subsequently deleted, raising concerns about possible attempts to tamper with evidence.

She also referred to alleged discrepancies in documents that have surfaced on social media and questioned how Amritprabha Mahanta was granted bail despite these concerns.

“Amritprabha had recorded several videos while on the yacht. There were also attempts to destroy that video evidence. We have seen discrepancies in documents, and these issues have been circulating on social media. In such circumstances, how did Amritprabha get bail?” Garima asked.

The allegations regarding the deletion of videos and possible tampering with evidence would, however, need to be established through the appropriate legal process.

Garima also alleged that Shyamkanu Mahanta had attempted to tamper with important documentary evidence even while in judicial custody.

Expressing concern over the implications of such alleged actions, she questioned what might happen if accused persons were released on bail.

“Shyamkanu Mahanta had attempted to tamper with important documentary evidence even from inside jail. If an accused has the courage to do such things while in custody, what might happen if they come out on bail? If accused persons continue to secure bail and walk free, the entire case could be compromised,” she said. Her remarks reflected the family’s growing apprehension over the course of the case and the possibility of evidence being affected.

Garima also sought answers regarding the investigation that was reportedly assigned to an officer at the Inspector General (IG) level. She said the family had not received any clear information about the findings of that investigation and demanded that the authorities explain its progress.

“An investigation at the IG level was supposed to be conducted. But we still do not know what came out of it. The people of Assam want to know about this investigation. What were its findings?” she asked.

Garima maintained that although the family might not be familiar with every legal technicality, it wanted the investigation to proceed properly and those found guilty to face justice. “We do not know all the legal intricacies. We only want everything to proceed in the right direction,” she said.

Raising broader concerns about public confidence in the justice system, Garima said the case was no longer merely a matter concerning the family but had become a question of faith in the legal system for people across Assam.

“If a personality like Zubeen Garg does not get justice, what faith will ordinary people have in the system? Will murder, crime and looting become commonplace in Assam? Will such acts become normal? This is not just my question; it is a question being asked by people across the state,” she said. She also questioned how an accused facing serious charges could secure bail despite what she described as a strong chargesheet and a capable investigating team.

Her remarks highlighted the family’s demand for clarity regarding the legal proceedings and the circumstances that led to the grant of bail.

Garima further expressed apprehension about the family’s safety if the accused were released from jail. She said the support and solidarity of the people had given her courage during this difficult period but admitted that the possibility of the accused being released on bail had added to her concerns.

“Right now, being among the people gives me some courage. But if these people come out on bail, we do not know what plans or conspiracies they might make. If something like this could happen to Zubeen, our own lives could also be at risk,” she said.

Speaking emotionally about the family’s circumstances, she added, “Our family now consists of just Pami and me. The two of us are trying to hold everything together. We are drawing strength and courage from the people.” Her statements underscored the emotional toll the case has taken on the family and its concerns about personal security.

Garima also appealed to all political parties and individuals not to politicise the protest. Clarifying the purpose of the demonstration, she said the family’s objective was not to engage in political confrontation or create unrest but to demand justice for Zubeen Garg through peaceful means.

“We do not want this issue to be politicised. Nobody should try to give it a political colour. We want to protest peacefully and do not want any untoward incident to take place. We are not here to issue threats. We only want justice. Neither the accused nor those found guilty should be allowed to escape accountability,” she said.

The demonstration organised by the Zubeen Garg Fan Club at Zubeen Khetra in Sonapur has once again brought the investigation into the singer’s death into the spotlight. The family’s questions over bail, alleged evidence tampering and the progress of the investigation have intensified calls for transparency and accountability.

Attention is now focused on the authorities’ response to the concerns raised by Garima Saikia Garg and on further developments in the case.