Guwahati hotel shooting: Crime scene recreation underway as probe into 5 deaths deepens
Synopsis
Assam Police returned the prime accused in the Hotel Bilas Inn shooting to the Guwahati crime scene on 2 November for a forensic recreation — as his wife's midnight questioning revealed he allegedly told her 'several people had been putting pressure on him.' With five dead and motive still unverified, the probe is now probing whether Gogoi acted alone.
Key Takeaways
Assam Police took prime accused Ghanakanta Gogoi to Hotel Bilas Inn, Ulubari, Guwahati for crime scene recreation on 2 November .
The shooting on 26 October killed five people : Helena Bharali , Debarshi Ishan Kashyap , Rinika , Bhudev Bharali , and Narayan Das .
Driver Satyendra Pathak was injured and is being treated at GMCH .
A .32-calibre pistol was recovered; Gogoi was arrested within an hour of the shooting.
Gogoi's wife was questioned until midnight on 1 November and reportedly said he claimed several people had been putting pressure on him .
A possible motive linked to a lease renewal dispute and pending rent and electricity dues is under examination.
Assam Police on Monday, 2 November took Ghanakanta Gogoi, the prime accused in the Hotel Bilas Inn shooting in Guwahati's Ulubari area, to the scene of the crime for a forensic recreation of events — a key step in the investigation into one of the city's deadliest shooting incidents in recent memory, which left five people dead and one injured.
What Happened at Hotel Bilas Inn
The shooting occurred around 9 pm on 26 October near Bora Service on GS Road, Guwahati. The five deceased were identified as Helena Bharali, her son Debarshi Ishan Kashyap, his wife Rinika, Helena's brother Bhudev Bharali, and Narayan Das, reportedly a caretaker of Bhudev. The family's driver, Satyendra Pathak, sustained injuries in the firing and was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for treatment.
Arrest and Evidence
Gogoi was arrested within an hour of the shooting. Police also recovered a .32-calibre pistol allegedly used in the crime. Investigators brought him back to the hotel in the morning to reconstruct the sequence of events and verify his account against physical evidence gathered during the probe.
Possible Motive Under Scrutiny
During preliminary questioning, investigators examined a possible dispute over the renewal of the lease agreement of Hotel Bilas Inn. Allegations of pending rent and electricity dues have also emerged as police attempt to establish what triggered the deadly confrontation. Notably, five of the six people present were killed, pointing to a level of premeditation that investigators are now working to confirm or rule out.
Wife Questioned, Key Claims Surface
In a parallel development, Gogoi's wife was questioned by police at Paltan Bazar Police Station until midnight on 1 November. According to her account, Gogoi contacted her shortly after the incident and allegedly told her that several people had been putting pressure on him. He reportedly also cautioned her to remain careful and ensure the safety of their daughter. Police are examining these claims alongside other evidence to determine whether any co-conspirators were involved.
What Investigators Are Looking For
The crime scene reconstruction is expected to help corroborate or challenge Gogoi's version of events and shed light on whether others may have directed or aided the attack. Police are simultaneously working to establish motive, chain of command, and the full circumstances of a shooting that has shaken Guwahati. The investigation remains active, with further questioning of witnesses and associates anticipated in the coming days.
Point of View
This case becomes significantly larger than a lone gunman story; if they do not, the pressure on police to explain how a single individual killed five people in a hotel will only grow.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati on 26 October?
A shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in the Ulubari area of Guwahati on 26 October killed five people — Helena Bharali, her son Debarshi Ishan Kashyap, his wife Rinika, Helena's brother Bhudev Bharali, and Narayan Das, reportedly a caretaker. The family's driver, Satyendra Pathak, was injured and hospitalised at GMCH.
Who is Ghanakanta Gogoi and when was he arrested?
Ghanakanta Gogoi is the prime accused in the Hotel Bilas Inn shooting in Guwahati. He was arrested within an hour of the incident on 26 October, and a .32-calibre pistol allegedly used in the crime was recovered from him.
What is the suspected motive behind the Guwahati hotel shooting?
Investigators are examining a possible dispute over the renewal of the lease agreement of Hotel Bilas Inn, with allegations of pending rent and electricity dues also surfacing. A definitive motive has not yet been established, and police are also probing whether others directed or aided the attack.
What did Ghanakanta Gogoi allegedly tell his wife after the shooting?
According to statements made by Gogoi's wife during questioning at Paltan Bazar Police Station until midnight on 1 November, Gogoi contacted her shortly after the incident and allegedly said that several people had been putting pressure on him. He also reportedly told her to remain careful and ensure their daughter's safety.
What is the purpose of the crime scene recreation at Hotel Bilas Inn?
The recreation, conducted on 2 November, is intended to help investigators reconstruct the sequence of events and cross-check Gogoi's account against physical evidence already collected. It is a standard investigative step used to identify inconsistencies and determine whether others were involved in planning or executing the shooting.
