Guwahati: A family member of Ghanakanta Gogoi, the accused in the October 26 shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati that left five people dead and one injured, has claimed that he opened fire after being attacked by a group of seven people.

Gogoi’s sister-in-law alleged that he called his brother after the incident and said he had been attacked while getting out of his car. According to the family’s account, Gogoi sustained a head injury during the alleged assault and fired at the group fearing for his life.

The family further claimed that Gogoi later went to a police station and surrendered, where he reportedly recounted the incident to the authorities.

The allegations have not been independently verified. Whether the firing was carried out in self-defence remains a matter for the police investigation.

Five killed

The shooting took place at the hotel in the South Sarania area of Ulubari at around 9 pm on October 26. Four people died at the scene, while a fifth succumbed to injuries at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). One other person sustained critical injuries.

Gogoi was apprehended within an hour of the incident.

The deceased were identified as Helena Bharali, her son Debarshi Ishan Kashyap, Debarshi’s wife Riniki, Helena’s brother Bhudev Bharali, and Narayan Das, an electrician who had gone to the hotel for wiring work. The sixth victim, Satyendra Pathak, is undergoing treatment.

Lease dispute under scrutiny

The shooting reportedly followed a dispute over the hotel’s lease agreement, which was nearing its end. Dilip Bharali, Helena’s elder brother, alleged that Gogoi had failed to clear outstanding rent, electricity bills and other dues despite repeated requests.

Dilip said the family had asked Gogoi to settle the payments and that the lease agreement was due to expire. He also said Gogoi had called for a meeting, but he could not attend because he was busy with a Puja committee.

He learnt about the shooting around 9.30 pm through news reports, he said.

Families seek investigation

The killings have left the victims’ relatives grieving and seeking accountability. Debarshi and Riniki had two young children, aged around one-and-a-half years and three months, according to a childhood friend of Debarshi.

Ahmed described Debarshi as a caring friend and called for a thorough investigation into the shooting. Another family member alleged that the killings were premeditated.

Narayan Das, who was at the hotel for electrical wiring work, was also among those killed. His son, Anjan Das, said his father had come to the hotel around 10 am on October 26 and was expected to return home the following morning. The family received news of his death around 1.30 am, he said.

Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting, including the reported lease dispute and the accused’s family’s claim that he acted in self-defence.