GUWAHATI: In a fresh development in the investigation into the October 26 Guwahati hotel shooting, the prime accused, Ghanakanta Gogoi, was taken to Hotel Bilas Inn in the Bora Service area on Monday morning for crime scene recreation.
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Gogoi, who is currently in police custody, was brought to the hotel under heavy security arrangements as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident that claimed five lives and left one person injured.
During the reconstruction exercise, investigators took Gogoi inside the hotel, where four people were allegedly shot dead. He was subsequently taken to the narrow lane outside the premises, where two other people were fired upon, including the sole survivor of the attack.
Police used dummy bodies and a dummy firearm to recreate the sequence of events. The accused was seen pointing towards different locations and explaining the movements during the incident. The entire exercise was videographed by police personnel using multiple cameras.
The shooting took place on October 26 following an alleged dispute between the hotel owners and Gogoi, who had leased the property, over its management and related issues.
The five deceased were identified as Helena Bharali, her brother Bhudev Bharali, her son Debarshi Kashyap, daughter-in-law Rinika Kashyap and family staff member Narayan Das. The family's driver, Satyendra Pathak, sustained bullet injuries and was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Gogoi, a 34-year-old businessman and the hotel leaseholder, was arrested shortly after the incident. Police also seized a licensed .32-bore pistol allegedly used in the shooting.
Preliminary investigations have pointed towards a dispute over the hotel's lease agreement, including disagreements regarding rent, electricity dues and management of the property.
The Assam Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The crime scene reconstruction is expected to help investigators verify the accused's account, establish the sequence of events and examine the evidence collected so far.
Gogoi is scheduled to be produced before a local court on November 3 following the completion of his seven-day police remand.
