The prime accused in the October 26 Bilas Inn shooting, which claimed five lives, was killed during an alleged escape attempt while being taken to recover weapons in connection with another case
Guwahati: Ghanakanta Gogoi, the prime accused in the October 26 Hotel Bilas Inn shooting in Guwahati that left five people dead, was killed in police encounter during an alleged escape attempt in Assam’s Sivasagar district in the early hours of Wednesday, November 4.
The incident took place around 3:10 am near Rongmon Dhaba at Phulpanisiga, under Gorisagar police station limits, while a Sivasagar Police team was transporting Gogoi from Guwahati in connection with a separate case registered at Sivasagar Sadar Police Station.
Sivasagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Papari Chetia said the team had obtained a production warrant from a Guwahati court after learning that Gogoi was allegedly involved in a Punjab National Bank loan fraud case. He was accused of submitting forged documents to secure a loan for an excavator. Police said he was wanted in six cases.
According to Chetia, Gogoi had offered to lead the team to a location in Gorisagar to recover weapons. During the journey, he allegedly attempted to flee and snatch an officer’s service revolver, triggering a scuffle. Three rounds were fired from the service revolver during the struggle, seriously injuring one police officer, who was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
The officer-in-charge of Sivasagar Sadar Police Station subsequently fired his service weapon to overpower Gogoi and prevent his escape. Gogoi sustained bullet injuries and was declared brought dead at a hospital. Another officer suffered minor injuries, while the police vehicle was also hit during the incident.
Gogoi had recently been sent to judicial custody after the police completed their initial remand and did not seek further custody. Further details of the Sivasagar incident are awaited.
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