Guwahati, Jan 7: The Assam government is set to reveal the names of the legal representatives, including the special public prosecutor, for the high-profile case surrounding the death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg on January 9. Senior legal professionals are emerging as potential candidates for these roles.

One of the leading contenders for the position of special public prosecutor is Ziaul Kamar, a senior advocate at the Gauhati High Court, known for managing several sensitive and high-profile cases in the past.

Additionally, another well-known criminal lawyer, Pallab Kataki, is also under consideration for the prosecution team, as per sources familiar with the situation.

The judicial department is anticipated to issue a formal announcement at least a week prior to the next hearing in this case.

Consultations have reportedly taken place with prominent legal experts in the state, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is believed to have approved the suggested names.

Kamar previously served as the special public prosecutor in the notable Neil-Abhi lynching case in 2018.

Kataki, who has represented several significant criminal cases recently, was appointed as the special public prosecutor for the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell in 2025. Sources indicate that the state government approached around five to six top criminal lawyers over the past few weeks before finalizing the list.

The appointment will be made under Section 18(8) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which allows the Central or State government to appoint a special public prosecutor with at least ten years of experience for specific cases. This new legislation allows victims to engage their own legal counsel to assist in the prosecution, marking a significant change from the previous Code of Criminal Procedure.

“The final makeup of the prosecution team will be disclosed following further discussions within the government,” sources stated.

Zubeen Garg died under mysterious circumstances on September 19 last year in Singapore, where he was performing at a cultural festival. The Assam Police's Special Investigation Team filed a chargesheet on December 12, naming seven individuals who were arrested, with four facing murder charges.

To date, three hearings have occurred in this case, with the latest on Saturday. During the last session, three accused, including co-singer Amritprava Mahanta, cousin Sandipan Garg, and personal security officer Paresh Baishya, filed bail petitions. The remaining four accused, including the main suspect and manager Siddharth Sharma, are expected to seek bail shortly.

The family of the late singer has been advocating for a robust and experienced team of government lawyers, while the prosecution is prepared to present its objections at the next hearing scheduled for January 17.