The Assam Cabinet has decided to seek the establishment of a special court to conduct day-to-day hearings in the case concerning the demise of cultural icon Zubeen Garg. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati on Thursday (February 26).
Given the emotional and cultural significance of the case for people in Guwahati and across Assam, the government said it aims to expedite the legal process through a dedicated judicial mechanism.
The Assam Cabinet has approved a proposal to approach the Gauhati High Court for setting up a special Sessions Court to conduct daily hearings in the Zubeen Garg case. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting in Guwahati on February 26 to expedite proceedings due to the case’s sensitivity.
Proposal for Exclusive Sessions Court
The Cabinet has approved a move to approach the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court for the formation of an exclusive Sessions Court under Section 346(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
If approved, the court will conduct day-to-day hearings to speed up the trial. The government stated that the step was necessary in view of the public attention the case has drawn, particularly in Guwahati, where Zubeen Garg has a strong fan following.
Why It Matters in Guwahati
Zubeen Garg has long been regarded as a cultural icon in Guwahati, with decades of influence in music, cinema, and social discourse.
The announcement from Lok Sewa Bhawan has generated significant public interest in the city. Legal observers say a fast-track mechanism may help address concerns about prolonged proceedings in high-profile cases.
Other Key Decisions from the Cabinet Meeting
Apart from the Zubeen Garg case, the Cabinet cleared several other proposals:
Re-appointment of Junior Engineers
The government approved the re-appointment of 57 Junior Engineers (Civil) under Regulation 3(f) of the PWD. These engineers had been serving since 2019 but were unable to qualify in the recent APSC recruitment process.
Mission Basundhara Land Allotment
Land allotment was approved for 326 beneficiaries under Mission Basundhara.
New College of Agriculture
Administrative approval of ₹122.22 crore was granted for establishing a College of Agriculture at Patharkandi in Sribhumi district to strengthen agricultural education in the Barak Valley.
Industrial Investment in Guwahati
Customised incentives were approved under the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam (IIPA), 2019, for M/s Bharat A to Z Private Limited. The company plans to set up an integrated shipyard and container shipping line at Dharapur in Guwahati with an investment of ₹475 crore.
The project is expected to generate around 900 direct jobs, potentially boosting employment in the city.
What Happens Next?
The proposal for the special Sessions Court will now be placed before the Gauhati High Court for consideration.
If approved, the dedicated court will begin day-to-day hearings. Further announcements regarding timelines are expected once judicial approval is granted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Assam Cabinet decide regarding the Zubeen Garg case?
The Cabinet decided to approach the Gauhati High Court to set up a special Sessions Court to conduct daily hearings in the case.
Where will the proposed special court be set up?
If approved by the High Court, the court is expected to function under the jurisdiction of the Gauhati High Court, likely within Guwahati.