Gauhati University student death: Police to seal homestay in Dharapur over alleged documentation violations

Guwahati Police are set to seal a homestay in Dharapur after preliminary investigation into the death of 22-year-old Gauhati University student Nimisha Thakuria found that guests had allegedly been allowed to stay there without proper documentation.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Bolin Deuri said the police were examining the homestay’s records and the circumstances under which Nimisha and her alleged boyfriend had stayed there. According to police, the duo had visited the homestay around five times in a month.

“Everyone at the homestay will be arrested if necessary,” Deuri said while speaking about the investigation into Nimisha’s death.

Nimisha, who was enrolled in a five-year integrated course at Gauhati University, was found unconscious near Garal PHC at around 4.30 am. Three men who found her reportedly took her to the health facility, following which she was shifted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where doctors declared her brought dead.

Police have detained Ashiq Ali in connection with the case and are questioning him. Investigators are also examining the nature of Ali’s relationship with Nimisha and the events preceding her death.

According to preliminary information, Nimisha had gone out with a friend on Friday night. The two had reportedly stayed at Rudra’s Kitchen, a homestay in Dharapur. Her body was later found near the Azara PHC.

Deori said Ali had claimed that Nimisha died by suicide after hanging herself. However, police said the claim had not been accepted as established and that all possible angles were being investigated.

“We have apprehended the accused, and he is in police custody, and we are questioning him. We have sent the body for post-mortem, and we can get more information later,” Deori told reporters.

On Ali’s claim about the circumstances of Nimisha’s death, Deori said the police would verify the statement as part of the investigation.

“According to the accused, the girl hanged herself, but whether that’s the truth, we will have to see. We will not believe anything; we will investigate every angle,” he said.

Police said Ali had acknowledged being in a relationship with Nimisha. Investigators are examining the circumstances in which the two met, their movements on the night of the incident, the events leading up to Nimisha being found unconscious and the injuries documented during the inquest.

The post-mortem examination report and further investigation are expected to establish the cause and circumstances of Nimisha’s death.