Guwahati, October 27: The deadly shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati has left a Barpeta family struggling to come to terms with the loss of four relatives, as police investigate a suspected property dispute behind the incident that claimed five lives on Monday night.
The victims included hotel owner Helena Bharali, her son Debarshi Kashyap, daughter-in-law Riniki Kashyap and elder brother Bhudev Bharali. Another person associated with the hotel, identified in reports as Narayan Das, also lost his life in the firing.
The tragedy has deeply affected the family of Bilas Bharali in Barpeta, where relatives expressed disbelief over the sudden loss of their loved ones. The family, reportedly known for its involvement in business activities, has been left devastated by the incident.
Police identified the accused as Ghanakanta Gogoi, who had reportedly taken Hotel Bilas Inn on lease about a year ago. Preliminary investigations suggest that disagreements involving the property’s lease arrangement may have led to the violent confrontation.
The shooting occurred around 9 pm on October 26 in the Bora Service area along Guwahati’s GS Road. Six people sustained bullet injuries, of whom five died. The surviving injured person was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Gogoi was apprehended within an hour of the incident, and police recovered a licensed .32-bore pistol suspected to have been used in the shooting.
Meanwhile, reports that a vehicle used by the accused displayed a ‘PRESS’ sticker have raised questions about its purpose. It has not been established whether Gogoi had any genuine association with a media organisation.
Separate reports have also suggested that the accused was wearing camera-equipped spectacles during the incident. Investigators are examining whether the device could provide evidence relating to the shooting.
Guwahati Commissioner of Police Partha Sarathi Mahanta confirmed that the accused had been arrested and that a detailed investigation was underway. Police are working to reconstruct the sequence of events and establish the circumstances and motive behind the killings.
