New Delhi, 05 October (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Monday deferred the bail plea of Shyamkanu Mahanta in the case related to the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore and fixed the next hearing for the first week of November.

The hearing focused on the status of the ongoing trial in Assam. The state government informed the court that the examination of witnesses was in progress, with 94 of the 394 witnesses having been examined as of August 14.

The government further told the court that a number of key witnesses based in Singapore were yet to be examined. Their statements are expected to be recorded shortly, it said.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Assam government to ensure that the trial proceeds without unnecessary delay. The court had also indicated that the progress of the trial would be considered while deciding Mahanta's bail plea.

Mahanta was arrested in October 2025 following Garg's death in Singapore in September 2025. He is currently lodged in Baksa jail along with five other accused in the case.

Mahanta was associated with the organisation of the North East India Festival in Singapore. A fast-track court in Assam has framed murder charges against four accused in the case, including Mahanta.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar