Police in Assam have launched a detailed investigation into the suspicious death of Nimisha, a 22-year-old Gauhati University student, inside a homestay in Guwahati. Authorities have arrested 26-year-old Aashik Ali, who works as a Rapido driver, in connection with the case. In addition, Jayanta Sathi, the owner of the 'Rudra Kitchen' homestay where the incident took place, has been taken into police custody. Investigators revealed that the facility allowed the young man and woman to check in without verifying any official identification documents or Aadhaar cards. Preliminary findings indicate that the duo visited this homestay approximately five times a month.
Events at the Homestay Prior to the Incident
According to police inquiries, the student arrived at the Rudra Kitchen homestay located in Goral alongside Aashik Ali on the evening of the incident. Staff members at the venue confirmed seeing the pair on multiple occasions in the past. Investigation details indicate that an alcohol party took place inside the room that night, with the guests ordering rice and egg curry for their meal. The situation escalated around 2:00 AM when Aashik Ali knocked on the door of the homestay's cook to wake him up.
Distressing 2 AM Phone Call to the Mother
A central piece of evidence in the investigation involves a distressed phone call placed by the student to her mother late at night. According to statements made by the victim's father, his daughter called her mother around 2:00 AM. During the brief call, she reportedly stated that she had been kicked in the chest and was experiencing severe difficulty breathing. The family also noted hearing the voices of two to three other young men in the background during the conversation. Shortly after this statement, the mobile phone went offline, leaving the family unable to establish further contact, which prompted them to notify the authorities immediately.
Emergency Response, Physical Injuries, and Hospitalization
Upon receiving the alert from the family, police tracked down the student and located her in critical condition at the Rudra Kitchen venue in Goral. She was initially rushed to Goral PHC before being transferred to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for advanced medical care. An ambulance conveyed her to GMCH around 3:00 AM, but attending doctors declared her dead upon arrival. Reports indicate that an individual named 'Zone' placed the telephone call requesting the ambulance, and Aashik Ali accompanied the victim to the medical facility.
Investigating officers documented several physical injuries across the victim's body. Physical marks were noted on her face, hands, head, and other regions, as well as on her private parts. Investigators are currently determining the exact timeline and circumstances under which these injuries were inflicted. Authorities expect the upcoming post-mortem examination report to provide definitive evidence regarding the exact cause of death.
Family Demands Strict Justice as Questions Remain
The student's father raised critical concerns regarding the initial direction of the police investigation, demanding thorough accountability. He recounted that his daughter left home around 5:00 PM after informing the family that she was going out for dinner. She later communicated that she was staying at a hostel with a female friend. Expressing immense grief, her father called for stringent legal measures against everyone responsible for the tragedy.
The deceased was an undergraduate student enrolled in a five-year integrated program at Gauhati University. Her unexpected demise raises numerous unanswered questions regarding the night's events inside the homestay room, the origin of the physical injuries, the identity of the individuals heard in the background of the 2:00 AM phone call, and the reason her phone abruptly turned off. While various claims have surfaced, police officials stress that definitive conclusions will depend on complete forensic analysis and the final post-mortem report.
