The investigation into the Guwahati hotel shooting suffered a setback after a three-hour search of prime accused Ghanakanta Gogoi’s rented accommodation in Saukuchi failed to recover key documents or other substantial evidence, according to reports on Saturday, October 31.
The police team searched the premises for documents related to the lease agreement of Hotel Bilas Inn, which is believed to be central to the October 26 shooting. The incident claimed five lives, including four members of the hotel owner’s family, while another person sustained injuries.
Investigators also looked for the keys to Gogoi’s car, which was parked at the residence, but could not find them. The vehicle could therefore not be examined for possible evidence.
Although the team gathered some additional information during the search, the operation yielded no significant breakthrough.
In another development, Gogoi’s wife, Junmoni Gogoi, surrendered before the police in Dhemaji on Saturday. She did not make any statement to the media after surrendering.
Junmoni had earlier claimed that her husband had opened fire in self-defence. The same claim had also been made by the accused’s sister-in-law.
The police investigation is continuing to establish the sequence of events leading to the shooting and examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
