GUWAHATI: Following the multiple homicide at Guwahati's Bilas Inn Hotel on the night of October 26, the family of the prime accused has issued its first statement to the media.
ALSO READ: Five Killed in Guwahati Hotel Shooting, Leaseholder Arrested
Speaking to reporters, a woman who identified herself as Ghanakanta Gogoi's sister-in-law said he fired in self-defence after a dispute escalated. According to her, Gogoi phoned his brother between 9 and 9:30 PM, shortly after the incident, and described what had happened.
She claimed that a group of seven people, including the hotel's owner, attacked Gogoi and struck him on the head, leaving him injured. She added that, according to Gogoi, he had leased the hotel for ten years.
The family member said Gogoi told his brother during the call that he had no choice but to fire his weapon to protect himself, as the group would otherwise have killed him. She also stated that Gogoi held a valid licence for the firearm and carried it for his own safety.
Five people were killed and one injured in the shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati’s Bora Service area on Monday, October 26. Police have arrested Gogoi, the hotel’s leaseholder, in connection with the incident. Preliminary investigations suggest that the shooting was triggered by a dispute over the hotel’s lease agreement.
The deceased have been identified as Helena Bharali, the hotel owner; her son, Devarshi Ishan Kashyap; Devarshi’s wife, Rinika Kashyap; Bhudev Bharali, Helena’s brother; and Narayan Das. Four of the five deceased belonged to the same family.
The injured person, identified as Satyendra Pathak, is undergoing treatment at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and is reportedly responding to treatment.
