Sivasagar Police shot dead 34-year-old Ghanakanta Gogoi at Phulapani Chiga around 3.10 a.m. on November 4 while transporting him from Guwahati in connection with a 2024 bank loan case, after he allegedly attacked escort personnel and attempted to flee.
At A Glance
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Ghanakanta Gogoi, the prime accused in the October 26 Hotel Bilas Inn shooting, died in a police encounter in Sivasagar early Wednesday.
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Police alleged that Gogoi attacked his escort team and attempted to escape while being transported from Guwahati to Sivasagar.
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The encounter occurred in connection with a separate 2024 Punjab National Bank car loan case. One police officer also sustained injuries.
Ghanakanta Gogoi, the prime accused in the sensational Hotel Bilas Inn shooting in Guwahati, died in a police encounter in Sivasagar district of Assam early Wednesday (November 4).
|Earlier Report: Death Toll in Guwahati Shooting Rises to 5 |
The encounter took place while police were taking him from Guwahati to Sivasagar in connection with a separate criminal case.
The incident occurred around 3.10 a.m. at Phulapani Chiga, between Gaurisagar and Jhanji in Sivasagar district.
According to police sources, Gogoi allegedly attacked the personnel escorting him and attempted to escape near Rongmon Dhaba. The police team opened fire during the incident. Gogoi sustained injuries and died at the spot.
A police officer also suffered injuries during the encounter, officials confirmed.
Sivasagar Superintendent of Police Papori Chetia is expected to provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police Take Gogoi From Guwahati Jail in Separate Case
The encounter followed Gogoi’s formal arrest by Sivasagar Police in connection with a case registered in 2024.
Police sources said a team from Sivasagar had taken custody of Gogoi from Guwahati Central Jail. The case originated at Sivasagar Police Station and involved allegations relating to a car loan obtained from Punjab National Bank.
Police were transporting him to Sivasagar for further proceedings when the incident occurred at Phulapani Chiga.
Investigators alleged that Gogoi attacked members of the escort team and tried to flee near Rongmon Dhaba. Police personnel subsequently opened fire, leaving him critically injured.
The shooting proved fatal, and Gogoi died at the scene.
The encounter also left one police officer injured. Authorities are expected to disclose more information through Sivasagar SP Papori Chetia.
Gogoi Was Prime Accused in Hotel Bilas Inn Massacre
Gogoi, 34, had emerged as the prime accused in the October 26 shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati’s Bora Service area.
The attack claimed five lives, including four members of a business family. Another person sustained injuries in the incident.
The shooting triggered widespread outrage across Assam because of the number of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Police arrested Gogoi shortly after the incident. During the investigation, they also recovered a licensed .32-bore pistol allegedly used in the shooting.
Investigators said a dispute over the hotel’s lease and management arrangements had preceded the deadly attack.
The police investigation focused on the circumstances of the dispute and its alleged connection with the shooting.
Court Sends Gogoi to Judicial Custody Before Encounter
The developments leading to Wednesday’s encounter unfolded rapidly.
On Tuesday, a Guwahati court sent Gogoi to judicial custody after his police remand ended.
However, Sivasagar Police subsequently took formal custody of him in connection with the separate 2024 case. The case involved allegations of financial default and threats linked to a car loan from Punjab National Bank.
According to officials, the case followed a complaint filed by the then manager of the bank.
The complainant alleged that Gogoi had failed to repay the car loan. He further accused Gogoi of threatening him over the repayment dispute.
Sivasagar Police had registered the case in 2024 and subsequently pursued Gogoi’s custody in connection with the investigation.
His transfer from Guwahati to Sivasagar led to the encounter at Phulapani Chiga early Wednesday.
SIT Constituted to Probe Five Killings
Meanwhile, the October 26 Hotel Bilas Inn shooting had generated considerable public anger across Assam.
The killing of five people, including four members of a business family, intensified demands for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the shooting and examine the circumstances behind the killings.
The recovery of the licensed .32-bore pistol and the alleged dispute over the hotel’s lease and management formed important aspects of the investigation.
Gogoi’s death in the Sivasagar encounter marks a significant development in the case. However, police are yet to provide further details about Wednesday’s encounter, including the circumstances surrounding the alleged escape attempt and the injuries suffered by the escort personnel.
Sivasagar SP Papori Chetia is expected to share additional information about the incident. (With inputs from IANS)
