Akhil Gogoi has said that the death of Ghanakanta Gogoi in police firing should not be a cause for public grief, while reiterating his opposition to police encounters. The Sivasagar MLA said the accused should instead have faced a speedy trial and received punishment through the courts if found guilty.
Ghanakanta Gogoi was the prime accused in the October 26 shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati, where five people were killed. Police said he died after an exchange of fire during his transfer to Sivasagar early on Wednesday, November 4.
The shooting was reported to Paltan Bazar police on the night of October 26. Four people were found dead at the hotel, while two injured people were taken to hospital. One of them later died, taking the death toll to five.
Akhil Gogoi says court verdict would have been better
Reacting to the incident, Akhil Gogoi described Ghanakanta Gogoi as a “professional killer” and an “extremist”. He said he was not saddened by the accused’s death, given the seriousness of the crime he was accused of committing.
However, the MLA made a clear distinction between his reaction to the death and his position on police action. He said he does not support encounters and had wanted the accused to stand trial.
Akhil Gogoi argued that a court sentence, including the death penalty if awarded after conviction, would have been a more appropriate outcome. In his view, the criminal justice system should determine guilt and punishment rather than the police.
Akhil Gogoi had sought a speedy trial
The legislator said he had urged Assam Police to file the chargesheet within 15 days and wanted the trial completed within three months. He believed that a prompt judicial process could have allowed the court to deliver its verdict in the Hotel Bilas Inn case.
Akhil Gogoi also referred to another case involving Ghanakanta Gogoi, in connection with which police were taking him to Sivasagar. The MLA questioned the circumstances in which the accused died while in police custody and maintained that he did not endorse the method used.
Police account of the Sivasagar encounter
According to Sivasagar Senior Superintendent of Police Papori Chetia, Ghanakanta Gogoi was being taken to the district in connection with another case when the incident occurred near Phulpanichiga, close to Rongmon Dhaba.
Police claimed that he asked to get out of the vehicle and then tried to snatch the service pistol of Sub-Inspector Debashish Sharma, the investigating officer. The police account stated that a scuffle followed and shots were fired.
The SSP said two to three rounds were discharged during the struggle. She added that another police personnel opened fire to prevent further assault. Ghanakanta Gogoi sustained bullet injuries and was declared dead after being taken to hospital.
Akhil Gogoi’s position on police encounters
Akhil Gogoi has previously raised concerns about police encounters and alleged extrajudicial killings in Assam. He has argued that such incidents undermine the rule of law and that the judiciary, rather than law enforcement personnel, must decide whether an accused person is guilty.
His latest remarks follow the same position, even as he expressed no sadness over the death of a man accused in a case that claimed five lives. He also acknowledged the work of Assam Police in the investigation, while separating that appreciation from his opposition to the encounter.
Questions remain after Ghanakanta Gogoi’s death
The death of the prime accused has brought a new development to the Hotel Bilas Inn investigation, but it also leaves questions about the alleged shooting and the circumstances of the police firing.
With Ghanakanta Gogoi no longer alive to face trial, the court process against him cannot proceed. Investigators will still need to examine the evidence and establish the full sequence of events surrounding the October 26 killings, including whether anyone else was involved.
Akhil Gogoi’s response captures the difficult balance between public relief after a grave crime and the need to uphold legal safeguards. His message was that nobody should be sad over the accused’s death, but that an encounter should not replace a court verdict.
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