Guwahati: Ramanujan Goswami, the prime accused in the murder of his 25-year-old wife Riya Talukdar Goswami in Guwahati’s Hatigaon area, was reportedly killed in a police encounter after allegedly ‘attempting to escape custody’ in Guwahati.
Police later claimed, however, that Goswami attacked escort personnel and jumped from the moving police vehicle into a gorge in an attempt to flee custody while being transported to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Around 3:00 AM, Goswami was being taken from the Hatigaon police station via Kahilipara toward GMCH for mandatory medical examinations and blood tests ahead of his scheduled court appearance, police officials stated.
While passing through the Narakasur Hills area, Goswami allegedly attacked escort personnel near the TV tower and jumped from the moving vehicle into a gorge in an attempt to escape, police added.
Police claimed that no shots were fired, stating that he sustained fatal head injuries from the jump and fall. He was retrieved by the police team and taken to GMCH, where doctors declared him dead on arrival due to severe trauma. His body was transferred to the GMCH morgue for a post-mortem examination.
Riya was found dead inside the couple’s rented flat in Basisthapur Bylane on Sunday, September 6. Her body was recovered from the third-floor flat after her family and neighbours alerted police over a foul smell.
Forensic examination confirmed that Riya had been murdered. Police suspect that her head was severed and placed inside a refrigerator, while her fingers were also reportedly cut. A sharp weapon, liquor bottles and bloodstains were recovered from the apartment.
Investigators estimate that the murder took place 24 to 48 hours before the body was recovered.
The flat was found in a disordered condition, and police are examining forensic and fingerprint evidence. The CID is also assisting the investigation.
Before his arrest, Goswami had emerged as the prime suspect, prompting police to launch a search for him.
Goswami later surrendered at Hatigaon Police Station and was taken into custody. According to reports, police were transporting him from Hatigaon to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) at around 3 am for a blood test when he allegedly tried to flee from the vehicle.
The police vehicle was passing through Kahilipara when Goswami reportedly jumped out near the Narakasur hill area. Police then opened fire, reportedly killing him.
Neighbours told police that the couple frequently argued and that they heard loud disturbances and a woman crying from the flat on Saturday.
Goswami and Riya had married around six months ago and had been living together in the rented flat. The motive for the alleged murder has not yet been established.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding Goswami’s death are awaited.
The news story has been updated with the Guwahati Police’s version of events.