Palmee Borthakur, sister of late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, has raised questions about the legal and financial assistance available to accused Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma in the case surrounding the singer’s death.
Her remarks came after the Supreme Court on Monday declined to grant immediate relief to Mahanta on his bail plea and scheduled the next hearing for October 5. In a social media post ahead of the proceedings, Palmee questioned how the accused were able to continue pursuing their legal cases despite their bank accounts allegedly being frozen.
Stay Connected · Headline8
Get breaking news instantly — follow our official channels
She questioned whether financial and legal backing was being provided by individuals or groups outside the accused themselves. Palmee also asked what forces might be supporting them as the case progresses through the courts.
Expressing her emotions ahead of the hearing, she said she was praying for the “unseen” and maintained her faith in the judicial process. She described the day as significant in the ongoing pursuit of justice for her brother.
The Supreme Court has kept Mahanta’s bail plea pending, with the case set to return before the bench on October 5. The court has also directed that the evidence and statements of witnesses examined by the lower court be taken into consideration before the next hearing.
Mahanta had moved the Supreme Court after the Gauhati High Court rejected his bail application on May 29. During the proceedings, his lawyers sought his release, while the prosecution opposed the plea.
Mahanta, who was involved in organising the North East India Festival in Singapore, was arrested in October 2025. He is among seven accused in the case. An Assam fast-track court has framed murder charges against four accused, including Mahanta. All the accused have denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.
The trial is currently continuing before the lower court in Assam.
