A local court in Guwahati remanded Ghanakanta Gogoi—the primary suspect accused of shooting five people dead at Hotel Bilas Inn—to seven days of police custody.
Addressing safety and encounter concerns raised by Gogoi’s defense counsel, the court imposed strict procedural safeguards and operational conditions on the investigating authorities during the remand period.
1. Judicial Directives & Safeguards Introduced
To address concerns regarding potential custodial torture or extrajudicial actions (“encounters”), the court established clear conditions for the 7-day custody period:
-
Mandatory Medical Checks: Gogoi must undergo a comprehensive medical examination every 24 hours.
-
Supervision During Evidence Recovery: Any evidence-recovery drive or crime scene reconstruction must be personally led and supervised by an officer of at least Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank.
-
Enhanced Security for Off-Hour Operations: If police conduct evidence-recovery operations before sunrise or after sunset, additional security forces must be deployed.
-
Prohibition of Custodial Abuse: The court explicitly prohibited custodial torture and mandated the provision of basic human necessities throughout his detention.
2. Incident Background: Hotel Bilas Inn Shooting
The incident took place on the evening of October 26, 2026, at Hotel Bilas Inn on G.S. Road, Guwahati:
-
The Core Dispute: The shooting reportedly stemmed from a financial dispute surrounding the lease of Hotel Bilas Inn, owned by the Bharali family and leased to Gogoi under a 5-year agreement signed in September 2025 (at a monthly rent of ~₹1.8 lakh). Arguments flared over property renovations, facility usage, and lease terms.
-
The Shooting: A reconciliation meeting convened at the hotel escalated into a physical brawl, following which Gogoi allegedly opened fire using a licensed .32-bore pistol.
-
Casualties & Victims:
-
Five Deceased: Bhudev Bharali (co-owner), his sister Helena, her son Debarshi Kashyap, daughter-in-law Rinika Kashyap, and family employee Narayan Das.
-
One Injured: Satyendra Pathak, the Bharali family’s driver, suffered gunshot wounds and is undergoing hospital treatment.
-
3. Current Legal & Investigative Status
-
Special Investigation Team (SIT): Assam Police formed an SIT to handle the forensic analysis, weapon licensing audit, and event timeline reconstruction.
-
Self-Defense Claim: Defense counsel has argued that Gogoi fired the shots in self-defense after being assaulted during the altercation, while the victims’ family asserts the attack was premeditated.
-
Next Court Appearance: Gogoi is scheduled to be produced back before the Guwahati court on November 3, 2026.
