The prime accused in the shooting that killed five people at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati was killed in a police encounter in Assam’s Sivasagar district early on Wednesday, November 4. Ghanakanta Gogoi, 34, was being taken from Guwahati to Sivasagar in connection with a separate bank fraud case when he allegedly attempted to escape custody by snatching a police officer’s service weapon.
The incident occurred around 3.10 am near Phulpanichiga in the Gaurisagar area. According to Sivasagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Papori Chetia, Gogoi was travelling with a police escort when he asked to step out of the vehicle to relieve himself.
The police alleged that he suddenly attempted to grab the service pistol of Sub-Inspector Debashish Sharma, who was accompanying the team as the investigating officer. A struggle reportedly followed, during which three rounds were fired from the officer’s weapon. Sharma sustained serious injuries, while the police vehicle was also hit by bullets.
Another officer in the escort team subsequently opened fire to prevent Gogoi from escaping and protect the injured personnel. Gogoi sustained bullet injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The injured sub-inspector was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Another police personnel also reportedly sustained minor injuries during the incident.
SSP Chetia described Gogoi as a trained shooter who was familiar with handling firearms. The police maintained that the firing took place after he allegedly tried to overpower the escort team and seize an officer’s weapon.
The encounter has attracted attention because it occurred just hours after a Guwahati court sent Gogoi to 14 days of judicial custody. His seven-day police remand in the hotel shooting case had ended on Tuesday, November 3.
During the court proceedings, Gogoi’s lawyer had reportedly expressed apprehension about his safety and raised concerns about a possible encounter. The court had directed the police to ensure his protection. His death during the subsequent transfer has therefore brought the circumstances of the police operation under scrutiny.
Gogoi was being taken to Sivasagar in connection with a bank fraud case registered in 2024. Police said he was wanted in an alleged loan fraud involving Punjab National Bank (PNB).
According to investigators, Gogoi had allegedly obtained a loan to purchase an excavator by submitting forged documents. The bank reportedly approached the police after discrepancies were detected in the paperwork.
The Sivasagar police secured a production warrant from a Guwahati court on Tuesday night to take him into custody in connection with the case. Officials also said Gogoi was wanted in six criminal cases.
His transfer to Sivasagar was therefore linked to an investigation separate from the five murders at Hotel Bilas Inn.
The shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn took place on October 26 in Guwahati’s Ulubari area. Five people, including four members of the family that owned the hotel, were killed, while another person was injured.
The deceased were identified as hotel co-owner Bhudev Bharali, 65, his wife Helena Bharali, 58, their son Debarshi Kashyap, 39, daughter-in-law Rinika Kashyap, 30, and staff member Narayan Das, 48. Satyendra Pathak, a driver associated with the family, was injured in the attack.
Gogoi was arrested shortly after the shooting. Preliminary investigations suggested that a dispute over the hotel’s lease and management may have triggered the violence.
The Bharali family had reportedly leased the property to Gogoi under a five-year agreement signed on September 10, 2025. The monthly rent was around Rs 1.8 lakh.
However, disagreements allegedly developed after Gogoi undertook renovation work at the hotel. Differences reportedly emerged over the use of the premises, the renovation expenses and the facilities to be provided under the agreement.
A meeting had been scheduled between the parties on October 26 to resolve the dispute. However, an argument allegedly broke out before the discussions could take place, eventually escalating into the shooting.
Investigators said Gogoi opened fire on the people present at the hotel. Police later recovered a licensed .32-bore pistol suspected to have been used in the attack.
The Assam Police subsequently constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the five murders and establish the sequence of events leading to the shooting.
Gogoi’s death has brought an abrupt turn to the investigation, particularly because he will no longer face trial in connection with the five killings.
The victims’ family had demanded strict action against those responsible. Following news of the encounter, Ankita Bharali, daughter of deceased hotel co-owner Bhudev Bharali, reportedly said the family felt that justice had been served. She also urged investigators to examine whether other individuals had supported or encouraged the attack.
Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi also reacted to the development. While saying the accused’s death should not be a cause for public mourning, he reiterated his opposition to police encounters. He said he would have preferred a speedy investigation and trial, followed by a court verdict if the charges were proved.
The MLA had earlier urged the police to file the chargesheet within 15 days and complete the trial within three months.
Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s encounter are likely to remain a subject of scrutiny. The police have maintained that the firing was necessary to protect their personnel and prevent an escape. However, the court’s earlier direction regarding the accused’s safety has added significance to the incident.
With Gogoi dead, investigators will now have to establish the full circumstances of the hotel shooting, examine the possibility of other involvement and address the questions surrounding the police encounter.
