Lady student found dead at Guwahati homestay; boyfriend arrested

Guwahati: A 22-year-old Gauhati University student was found dead at a homestay on the city’s outskirts early Saturday, prompting police to arrest her 26-year-old boyfriend and investigate the death as a suspected murder, according to a NDTV report.

Nimisha Thakuria, a Sociology student from Dharapur, had been staying at the homestay in Garal with Asif Ali. Ali reportedly told police that Thakuria had died by suicide, but investigators have rejected his account at this stage and are treating the case as suspicious. Her post-mortem report is awaited. Police said no blood was found on her body or on the floor.

A potentially crucial lead has emerged from the family. Gautam Das, a family friend, said Thakuria had contacted her mother around 2am in distress and indicated that someone intended to kill her, after which her phone was allegedly taken away. The claim is yet to be independently established.

The homestay’s caretaker also reported hearing a male voice calling out during the night. Staff later found Thakuria lying on the floor while Ali was holding her, following which the owners were alerted, and an ambulance was called.

Police were initially alerted after Thakuria was taken unconscious to a nearby health facility and subsequently referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, where she was declared dead. Investigators are questioning the homestay owner, caretakers and other staff.

The death has also triggered protests, with some organisations alleging “love jihad” because Thakuria was Hindu and Ali is Muslim. Protesters briefly blocked the road before police intervened and cleared the route.