Families call death of Guwahati hotel shooting accused God's justice
Victims' relatives expressed relief after the prime suspect died during an alleged escape attempt from police custody.
Families of those killed in the Guwahati hotel shooting on October 26 described the death of the prime suspect as "God's justice" on Wednesday, according to the Hindustan Times. Ghanakanta Gogoi, 34, died in Sivasagar district early Wednesday during a police encounter while allegedly trying to flee from custody.
Gogoi, the leaseholder of Hotel Bilas Inn, was accused of opening fire on six people during a dispute with the property owners. The shooting resulted in five deaths, including Bhudev Bharali, 65, his sister Helena Bharali, 58, Helena's son Debarshi Kashyap, 39, daughter-in-law Rinika Kashyap, 30, and staffer Narayan Das, 48. A driver, Satyendra Pathak, 43, was also injured.
The suspect had been arrested following the incident, and a.32-bore pistol was allegedly recovered from him. On Tuesday, Sivasagar police had arrested Gogoi regarding a 2024 bank fraud case, shortly after a Guwahati court remanded him to jail following his police remand in the hotel shooting case.
Speaking at their residence in Barpeta, the mother of Bhudev and Helena Bharali said the news would bring peace to the deceased and the family. She stated she thanked the Almighty for the justice.
The daughter of Bhudev Bharali expressed gratitude to the people of Assam for their solidarity. Another family member noted they felt relieved because they had feared Gogoi might target them again if he remained free.
The mother of the survivor, Satyendra Pathak, said the family no longer feared for her son's safety following the death of the accused.