In a significant development in the death case of renowned singer Zubeen Garg, the Gauhati High Court has appointed Sharmila Bhuyan, District Judge of Baksa, to preside over a dedicated fast-track sessions court that will conduct day-to-day trial proceedings. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the decision and expressed gratitude to Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar for approving the request. Calling it a “significant milestone” in the pursuit of justice, Sarma said the move would help accelerate the judicial process and ensure timely delivery of justice in the high-profile case.

The development follows the Assam Cabinet’s decision in February to seek a fast-track trial, considering the sensitivity of the matter and its potential impact on public trust and governance. The state government had formally urged the Gauhati High Court to establish an exclusive court to handle the case on a daily basis.

Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on September 19, 2025. According to reports presented before a coroner’s court, the singer drowned near Lazarus Island after removing his life jacket during a yacht party. He was reportedly heavily intoxicated at the time and declined to wear another life jacket when offered. Witnesses stated that he attempted to swim back to the yacht but later became unresponsive and was found floating face-down in the water. Garg’s family had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the formation of a special court, an expedited trial in Assam, and necessary diplomatic and legal intervention in Singapore following his death.