The Guwahati hotel shootout has prompted a high-level investigation after five people died and another sustained injuries in a shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn on October 26, 2026. Assam Police has constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident in the Bora Service area of Guwahati. Preliminary findings point to a dispute over the hotel’s lease and management, although investigators continue to examine the complete sequence of events. Police have taken the accused into custody and are examining evidence collected from the scene.
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Guwahati Hotel Shootout Prompts High-Level SIT Investigation
The shooting took place at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati on Monday evening, October 26. Police received information about gunshots at around 9 pm and dispatched teams to the location. When officers arrived, they found four people dead inside the hotel reception area and two others injured nearby.
Emergency teams transported the injured to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). One of them later died, bringing the confirmed death toll to five. The remaining injured person received medical treatment.
Following the incident, Assam Police announced a six-member SIT to conduct a comprehensive investigation. Joint Commissioner of Police Ankur Jain will lead the team. Its members include Deputy Commissioner of Police Shambhavi Mishra, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Debajit Nath and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Viku Achumi.
Inspector Kuleshjyoti Bhuyan, officer-in-charge of Paltan Bazar Police Station, and Sub-Inspector Abinash Das also serve on the team. Police have tasked the SIT with examining witness statements, forensic findings and the events leading up to the shooting.
The decision to establish a dedicated team reflects the seriousness of the case. Investigators must establish what happened before the shooting, identify the circumstances that led to the confrontation and assess the available evidence.
Five Victims Identified After the Guwahati Hotel Shooting
Police identified the five deceased people as Helena Bharali, 58, the hotel owner; her brother, Bhudev Bharali, 65; her son, Debarshi Kashyap, 39; her daughter-in-law, Rinika Kashyap, 30; and Narayan Das, 48.
Four of the victims belonged to the same family associated with the hotel’s ownership. Das was also connected to the family. The incident therefore affected both the hotel’s owners and people associated with its operations.
Authorities have continued examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the injuries suffered by the surviving victim. Investigators are also collecting statements and other evidence to establish the sequence of events.
The shooting occurred in the Bora Service area, near a busy commercial stretch of Guwahati. Police secured the location and began gathering material relevant to the investigation.
The deaths have raised serious concerns about safety in a public business setting. However, officials must establish the complete facts before drawing conclusions about the incident or the actions of those involved.
Hotel Lease Dispute Emerges as a Key Line of Inquiry
According to preliminary police findings, the shooting followed a dispute over the lease and management of Hotel Bilas Inn. The hotel owners had entered into a five-year lease agreement with the accused, Ghanakanta Gogoi, on September 10, 2025. Police said the agreement involved monthly rent of approximately ₹1.8 lakh.
Investigators said disagreements reportedly developed after the leaseholder renovated the property. The differences concerned the use of the premises and the provision of certain facilities.
Both sides had planned a meeting at the hotel on October 26 to discuss the dispute. According to the police account, an argument escalated into a physical confrontation before the meeting formally began. The accused allegedly opened fire during that confrontation.
Police traced Gogoi to the Basistha Police Station area and took him into custody soon after the incident. Investigators also seized the pistol allegedly used in the shooting.
Although the lease dispute forms a central part of the preliminary investigation, police have not completed their inquiry into every aspect of the case. The SIT will need to examine witness accounts, documentary records and forensic findings before establishing the full sequence of events.
The accused’s alleged actions and the circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain matters for investigation and legal proceedings. The final determination of criminal responsibility will depend on the evidence and the judicial process.
Forensic Examination and Evidence Collection Continue
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have assisted with the examination of the scene. Investigators collected material from the location and recovered empty cartridge cases and live cartridges during the initial inquiry.
Forensic examination can help investigators assess physical evidence and compare it with other material collected during the case. Meanwhile, witness statements may help clarify the events before, during and after the confrontation.
The SIT will coordinate the investigation and examine the available evidence. Its responsibilities include reconstructing the sequence of events, assessing the circumstances behind the alleged shooting and identifying any unanswered questions.
Police have also seized the pistol allegedly used in the incident. Investigators will examine the relevant evidence as part of the wider inquiry, while following the procedures required for a criminal investigation.
The next stage will involve assessing the evidence alongside witness accounts and other records. Authorities have said they intend to conduct a thorough investigation, but the full findings will depend on the outcome of these inquiries.
The case remains under investigation. Further official updates and legal proceedings will determine how the evidence supports the allegations and what conclusions authorities can establish.
Conclusion
The Guwahati hotel shootout at Hotel Bilas Inn on October 26 left five people dead and one injured. Assam Police formed a six-member SIT under Joint Commissioner Ankur Jain to investigate the incident. Police identified the deceased as Helena Bharali, Bhudev Bharali, Debarshi Kashyap, Rinika Kashyap and Narayan Das.
Preliminary findings indicate that a dispute over the hotel’s lease and management preceded the shooting. Police said a meeting intended to resolve the disagreement escalated into a confrontation. The accused, Ghanakanta Gogoi, was taken into custody, and investigators seized the pistol allegedly used in the incident.
The SIT will now examine forensic evidence, witness statements and other relevant material to establish the complete sequence of events. While the preliminary investigation has identified a possible dispute behind the incident, authorities must establish the facts through evidence and due legal process. The investigation remains ongoing.
FAQs
1. How many people died in the Guwahati hotel shootout?
Five people died in the shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn on October 26, 2026. One other person sustained injuries and received medical treatment.
2. Where did the shooting take place?
The incident occurred at Hotel Bilas Inn in the Bora Service area of Guwahati, Assam.
3. Why has Assam Police formed an SIT?
Police formed a six-member Special Investigation Team to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, analyse forensic evidence and record witness statements.
4. What is the suspected motive behind the incident?
Preliminary police findings point to a dispute over the hotel’s lease and management. Investigators are continuing to establish the full sequence of events.
5. Who is leading the SIT investigation?
Guwahati Joint Commissioner of Police Ankur Jain heads the six-member SIT constituted by Assam Police.