The Kamrup Metropolitan District and Sessions Court has ordered the immediate unfreezing of the bank account of accused Shyamkanu Mahanta in connection with the ongoing probe into singer Zubeen Garg’s death case. The court pulled up the prosecution for what it described as procedural lapses and failure to follow due legal process. During the hearing, the court observed that the investigating agency did not comply with Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita while freezing Mahanta’s bank account. The court noted that statutory provisions must be strictly followed, regardless of the seriousness of the allegations. Citing these irregularities, it directed that the account be restored without delay.
The court also took up the issue of procuring documents from Singapore in connection with another accused, Siddharth Sharma. It noted that several documents from Singapore had already been collected and filed along with the chargesheet. However, the court clarified that under the BNSS, it does not have the authority to directly summon documents from a foreign country. If further records are required, the Government of India must initiate the request through proper diplomatic or legal channels. The case is linked to Mahavir Aqua, a packaged drinking water company jointly owned by Sharma and his business partner Chetan Dhirachariya. As per the police report, Sharma allegedly invested ₹1.1 crore in the firm. Investigators claim that during interrogation, he admitted that the money came from funds allegedly taken from Zubeen Garg’s income.
In a related order, the court directed that Sharma must deposit a bank demand draft of ₹16 lakh at the CID police station if he wishes to have his seized flat reopened. Police have alleged that ₹16 lakh belonging to Garg was misused to purchase the property.Reacting to the latest order, Garima Saikia Garg said the family had not been properly informed about the progress of proceedings in the fast-track court. She said they were unaware of the current status of the case and described the decision to unfreeze Mahanta’s account as “disappointing.” She also pointed out that in the Mahavir Aqua matter, similar relief had earlier been granted due to procedural lapses.The next hearing in both the Mahavir Aqua case and the main case has been fixed for March 19. The matter continues to attract public attention as questions remain over alleged financial misconduct, cross-border documentation issues, and the manner in which the investigation has been carried out.
