The Assam government is considering appointing senior advocate Ziaul Kamar and noted criminal lawyer Pallab Kataki as Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) in the high-profile Zubeen Garg case, official sources said on Tuesday.
The move comes amid growing public interest and a formal request from the victim’s family, which has urged the state government to ensure a strong prosecution and a speedy trial in the case. A final decision is expected to be taken by the judicial department in the coming days, ahead of the next court hearing scheduled for January 17.
Sources indicated that the appointment of a special prosecutor is likely to be notified about a week before the hearing, once internal consultations are completed.
Ziaul Kamar, a senior advocate of the Gauhati High Court, has earlier served as Special Public Prosecutor in several sensitive and high-profile cases, including the Neil–Abhi lynching case of 2018. He is known for his experience in handling complex criminal trials.
Pallab Kataki, on the other hand, is a prominent criminal lawyer who was recently appointed as Special Public Prosecutor for cases handled by the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell. He has represented the state in multiple important prosecutions in recent years.
The family of Zubeen Garg had recently written to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor and fast-tracking of the trial to ensure justice. The case has drawn widespread attention across Assam due to its seriousness and public sensitivity.
Officials said the government is keen to ensure a robust legal process and effective representation of the state in court, given the gravity of the case and the strong public sentiment attached to it.
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