GUWAHATI – A court in Guwahati has laid down conditions for the seven-day police custody of Ghanakanta Gogoi, who is accused of shooting dead five people and injuring another at a hotel in the city. The conditions were set after Gogoi raised fears of an “encounter.”
Court Orders Safeguards
Gogoi was arrested soon after the shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn on Monday night. On Tuesday, the court remanded him to seven days of police custody.
The court issued directions on evidence recovery, security and medical examinations. It also banned custodial torture and told police to provide him with basic necessities.
Under the order:
- Medical examinations must be carried out every 24 hours.
- A DSP-rank officer must accompany Gogoi during evidence-recovery operations.
- Extra security arrangements are required for any operation conducted before sunrise or after sunset.
Gogoi’s advocate has also filed a general petition raising concerns about his safety while in custody.
What Happened at the Hotel
According to police, early findings suggest the shooting grew out of a dispute over the lease and management of Hotel Bilas Inn. The hotel is owned by the Bharali family and was leased to Gogoi.
The two sides signed a five-year lease agreement on September 10, 2025, with a monthly rent of around Rs 1.8 lakh. Disagreements reportedly began after Gogoi renovated the property. The issues were over how it would be used and whether certain facilities would be provided.
A meeting was scheduled at the hotel on Monday to settle the matter. However, an argument turned into a fight before the meeting could even begin. Gogoi then allegedly opened fire on six people.
The Victims
The five people killed have been identified as:
- Bhudev Bharali
- His sister, Helena
- Her son, Debarshi Kashyap
- Her daughter-in-law, Rinika Kashyap
- Narayan Das, a staffer working for the family
Satyendra Pathak, a driver for the Bharali family, was also injured in the shooting.
Investigation Under Way
Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. With Gogoi in custody for seven days, investigators are expected to focus on recovering evidence and establishing exactly how the argument turned violent.
The court’s conditions show that it wants the investigation to continue while also making sure the accused’s rights and safety are protected during police custody
