Guwahati, October 31: The investigation into the Guwahati Hotel Bilas Inn shooting case has encountered another challenge after a police search at the rented residence of prime accused Ghanakanta Gogoi in the city’s Saukuchi area failed to yield any substantial evidence.
According to an India Today NE report, a police team conducted a three-hour search at the residence, hoping to recover documents related to the hotel’s lease agreement. Investigators believe that a dispute over the lease and management of Hotel Bilas Inn may have triggered the October 26 shooting.
However, the team could not find the expected lease-related documents during the operation.
Police also searched for the keys to Gogoi’s car, which was parked at the premises. As the keys could not be located, investigators were unable to examine the vehicle for possible evidence.
The team reportedly returned with some additional information related to the case, but the search did not result in any major breakthrough.
Gogoi’s wife surrenders in Dhemaji
In a separate development, Ghanakanta Gogoi’s wife, Junmoni Gogoi, surrendered before the police in Dhemaji on Saturday. She did not speak to the media after surrendering.
Junmoni had earlier claimed that her husband opened fire in self-defence. A sister-in-law of the accused had also made a similar claim. Investigators are examining these claims as part of the ongoing probe.
The October 26 shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati left five people dead, including four members of the hotel owner’s family, while another person was injured. Ghanakanta Gogoi was arrested in connection with the incident and remanded to seven days of police custody.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is continuing its investigation into the shooting, including the circumstances surrounding the hotel lease dispute.
