The death toll in the horrific shooting near Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati’s Bora Service area has risen to five, following the death of another victim during emergency medical treatment.
Assam Police have arrested the prime suspect, identified as hotel leaseholder Ghanakanta Gogoi, and recovered the licensed pistol allegedly used in the crime.
Lease Dispute Suspected as Trigger
According to Guwahati Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta, the shooting occurred around 9:00 PM on Monday, October 26, 2026, on the arterial GS Road—just 2 kilometers from the Assam Police headquarters.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a escalating property and lease dispute between Gogoi and the hotel owner, Helena Bharali, triggered the violent attack. Gogoi had leased Hotel Bilas Inn from Bharali approximately a year ago.
”All the deceased are associated with the owner of the hotel. The leaseholder himself fired and killed them,” Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta stated. “As far as our initial investigation is concerned, Gogoi had taken the hotel on lease… and they were involved in a dispute that could have led to the firing.”
Victims Identified as Owner, Family, and Staff
Police reported that Gogoi first opened fire on hotel owner Helena Bharali, before shooting her son, Debarshi Kashyap, and her elder brother, Bhudeb Bharali. All three died from their gunshot wounds.
Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Principal Babul Kumar Bezbaruah confirmed that hotel employee Nayan Das (48) was brought dead, while another employee, Satyendra Pathak (42), remains hospitalized in critical condition with severe bullet injuries.
Police have registered a formal case against Gogoi as forensic teams examine the precise sequence of events and weapon licensing details.
