Gauhati University student death: Accused Ashik Ali shot in knee while fleeing custody
Synopsis
On the day his police custody was set to end, Ashik Ali — accused in the death of Gauhati University student Nimisha Thakuria — was shot in the knee by Guwahati police after allegedly attempting to flee a Dharapur operation. The underlying case remains unresolved, with investigators still awaiting forensic and post-mortem reports to determine whether Nimisha died by suicide or under other circumstances.
Key Takeaways
Ashik Ali , accused in the death of Gauhati University student Nimisha Thakuria , was shot in the knee by police on 6 October 2025 during a Dharapur operation after allegedly attempting to escape custody.
Ali was transferred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for treatment.
The shooting occurred on the day his eight-day police custody was scheduled to end.
Nimisha Thakuria , a 21-year-old Sociology student, was found dead at Rudra's Kitchen Homestay , Guwahati, on 25 September .
Ali claimed Nimisha died by suicide; police say the claim is unverified and all angles remain under investigation.
Investigators are awaiting forensic and post-mortem reports to establish the cause and manner of her death.
Ashik Ali, accused in the death of Gauhati University student Nimisha Thakuria, was shot in the knee by police during an operation at Dharapur in the early hours of Tuesday, 7 October 2025, after he allegedly attempted to escape from custody, officials said. Ali was subsequently taken to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for treatment.
How the Incident Unfolded
The shooting occurred on the day Ali's eight-day police custody was set to expire, with investigators preparing to produce him before a court. According to police, Ali allegedly tried to flee during the operation, prompting officers to open fire. He was shot in the knee and immediately transported to GMCH.
This is not the first time custodial escape attempts have triggered police action in high-profile cases in Assam, and the incident is certain to invite scrutiny given the sensitivity of the underlying investigation.
Who Is Nimisha Thakuria and What Happened
Nimisha Thakuria, a 21-year-old Sociology student at Gauhati University and a resident of Dharapur under the Azara Police Station area, was found dead at Rudra's Kitchen Homestay in Guwahati on 25 September. Police reached the homestay after receiving information about the incident and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The case drew widespread attention in Guwahati, with questions surfacing over whether she died by suicide or under other circumstances. Notably, investigators have not yet publicly concluded the cause or manner of her death.
What the Accused Told Police
According to Guwahati Deputy Commissioner of Police Bolin Deori, Ali had told investigators that Nimisha died by suicide after allegedly hanging herself. However, police have maintained that this claim has not been independently established, and that all angles are being examined.
'We will not believe anything; we will investigate every angle,' Deori said while responding to the accused's version of events. Police confirmed that Ali had acknowledged being in a relationship with Nimisha.
What Investigators Are Examining
Investigators are looking into the nature of Ali and Nimisha's relationship, the circumstances under which they were at the homestay, and the sequence of events before she was found unconscious. Police are also reviewing injuries and findings recorded during the inquest, and are awaiting forensic and post-mortem reports to establish the full picture.
What Happens Next
With Ali now injured and receiving treatment at GMCH, investigators are expected to continue questioning him as the probe advances. The investigation remains under way, and police have not yet arrived at a formal conclusion on the cause and manner of Nimisha's death. The outcome of the forensic and post-mortem reports will likely determine the next legal steps in the case.
Point of View
Police-encounter optics have repeatedly inflamed public debate, and this incident will invite scrutiny from courts and civil liberties groups. More critically, the central question in the Nimisha Thakuria case — whether she died by suicide or was killed — remains unanswered. Investigative delay on the forensic front, combined with the accused now being hospitalised, risks complicating the evidentiary chain. The case demands transparent, court-monitored investigation, not just police assertions about 'examining every angle.'
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ashik Ali shot by police in Guwahati?
Ashik Ali was shot in the knee by Guwahati police on 6 October 2025 during an operation at Dharapur after he allegedly attempted to escape from custody. The incident occurred on the final day of his eight-day police remand, as investigators were preparing to produce him before a court.
Who is Nimisha Thakuria and how did she die?
Nimisha Thakuria was a 21-year-old Sociology student at Gauhati University and a resident of Dharapur, Guwahati. Her body was found at Rudra's Kitchen Homestay on 25 September; police have not yet concluded whether she died by suicide or under other circumstances, and are awaiting forensic and post-mortem reports.
What did Ashik Ali tell police about Nimisha's death?
According to Guwahati Deputy Commissioner of Police Bolin Deori, Ali told investigators that Nimisha died by suicide after allegedly hanging herself. Police have stated this claim has not been independently established and that all possible angles are being investigated.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The investigation is ongoing. Police are examining the nature of Ali and Nimisha's relationship, the sequence of events at the homestay, and findings from the inquest. Forensic and post-mortem reports are still awaited, and no formal conclusion on the cause of death has been reached.
Where is Ashik Ali now?
Ashik Ali is currently undergoing treatment at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) after being shot in the knee. Investigators are expected to continue questioning him as part of the ongoing probe into Nimisha Thakuria's death.
