Guwahati Homestay Sealed After Student's Death

Victim Nimisha Thakuria

GUWAHATI: Police on Sunday sealed a homestay on the outskirts of Guwahati where a Gauhati University student was found unconscious and later died, after investigators found that the establishment had not collected mandatory identification documents from her and her alleged companion, officials said.

Nimisha Thakuria was found in a critical condition at Rudra’s Kitchen homestay in the Dharapur-Garal area early on Saturday. She was taken to Garal Primary Health Centre and later referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Police have detained her alleged companion, 26-year-old Ashiq Ali, and are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to police, Nimisha and Ali had visited the homestay around five times in the past month. A preliminary probe found alleged lapses in maintaining proper guest documentation, police said. Investigators are examining its records and the circumstances in which Nimisha and Ali stayed there. The homestay had also not collected mandatory identification documents from the two, police said.

Police have said Ali's claim that Nimisha died by suicide has not yet been established and that all possible angles are being investigated. Ali told police that Nimisha had hanged herself and died by suicide.

Deputy commissioner of police (west) Balin Deuri said investigators would establish whether that account was true. “Whether it is true or a lie, would come out during the investigation,” Deuri said.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination and police are awaiting the report.