Introduction

A local court in Guwahati has ordered a seven-day police custody for Ghanakanta Gogoi, the primary accused in the shocking mass shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn that left five people dead and another injured. The legal proceedings come amid heightened security concerns raised by the defense over potential extrajudicial risks.

Gogoi was apprehended shortly after the violent episode unfolded on Monday night at the hotel premises. During Tuesday's court hearing, defense counsel filed a general petition explicitly citing safety fears regarding custodial violence, prompting the judiciary to intervene with strict monitoring guidelines.

Judicial Safeguards and Court Directives

To ensure transparency and protect the rights of the accused, the court has laid down stringent directives for the investigating agencies. The mandate includes mandatory medical examinations every 24 hours throughout the remand period.

Furthermore, the court ordered that any evidence-recovery operations involving Gogoi must be accompanied by a DSP-rank officer. Additional security arrangements are strictly required if any recovery operations are conducted outside daylight hours—specifically before sunrise or after sunset. The court also categorically prohibited custodial torture and instructed law enforcement to ensure basic necessities are provided to the detainee.

Dispute Over Lease and Management

According to preliminary investigations by local law enforcement, the horrific incident was triggered by a bitter financial and administrative dispute regarding the lease and management of Hotel Bilas Inn.

The property, owned by the Bharali family, had been leased to Gogoi under a five-year agreement finalized on September 10, 2025, with a monthly rent fixed at approximately Rs 1.8 lakh. Tensions reportedly mounted after Gogoi undertook major renovations on the property, leading to disagreements concerning facility management and operational usage.

The Tragic Escalation

A formal meeting had been arranged at the hotel on Monday to iron out the differences between the parties. However, investigators noted that an intense verbal argument quickly spiraled out of control into a physical altercation before formal discussions could even commence. During the melee, Gogoi allegedly pulled out a firearm and opened indiscriminate fire on six individuals.

The victims of the shooting have been identified as Bhudev Bharali, his sister Helena, her son Debarshi Kashyap, daughter-in-law Rinika Kashyap, and family staffer Narayan Das. Additionally, Satyendra Pathak, a driver employed by the Bharali family, sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted by the police department to thoroughly investigate the multi-fatality shooting and uncover the exact sequence of events leading up to the tragedy.