In an early morning encounter in Assam's Sivasagar district on Wednesday, 34-year-old Ghankanta Gogoi was killed in police firing after attempting to flee custody. Gogoi was the prime accused in a horrific mass shooting at a Guwahati hotel, where he gunned down five people, including four members of the hotel owner's family. Following the news of his death, the grieving family shared their sense of relief, calling the outcome an act of divine justice.
The Early Morning Escape Attempt in Sivasagar
Gogoi had been sent to jail by a Guwahati court following the completion of his seven-day police custody in connection with the hotel killings. Just hours after his transfer to judicial custody on Tuesday, Sivasagar police arrested him in connection with a separate bank fraud case dating back to 2024.
Investigating officers were transporting Gogoi to Sivasagar for further interrogation related to the fraud allegations. During the transit early on Wednesday morning, Gogoi made a sudden bid to break out of police custody. A shootout ensued between the escaping accused and the police escort, resulting in fatal gunshot injuries to Gogoi.
The Deadly October 26 Hotel Shootout
Gogoi had leased a hotel property in Guwahati, which became the ground for the violent confrontation on October 26. In a sudden outburst of gunfire, Gogoi targeted six people inside the premises, leaving five dead and one injured.
The deceased were identified as 65-year-old Bhudev Bharali, his 58-year-old sister Helena, Helena's 39-year-old son Debarshi Kashyap, her 30-year-old daughter-in-law Rinika Kashyap, and 48-year-old Narayan Das, who worked as an employee for the family. In addition, the Bharali family's 43-year-old driver, Satyendra Pathak, sustained bullet injuries during the attack. Police had arrested Gogoi shortly after the assault and confiscated a pistol from his possession.
Victims' Relatives Speak of Relief and Faith
For the relatives who survived the tragedy, news of Gogoi's death lifted a cloud of constant terror. Surviving relatives feared that if Gogoi remained alive or secured bail in the future, he might return to harm the remaining members of the family.
Speaking from their home, the elderly mother of deceased Bhudev Bharali and Helena expressed that her faith in divine intervention had been validated. She remarked,
Now their souls will find peace.She added that the closure provides some calm to the grieving household, thanking God for delivering justice in their darkest hour.
Bhudev Bharali's daughter also voiced deep gratitude towards the people of Assam who offered solid support and empathy to the family. She observed that while the void left by their slain loved ones can never be filled, the news of the perpetrator's death brought tangible relief to the household, stating that justice had finally been served.
