Guwahati: A student of Gauhati University, Nimisha Thakuria, was found unconscious at a homestay in the Azara area of Guwahati early Saturday morning and was later declared dead at a hospital, police said.
A man identified as Asif Ali, who was accompanying Nimisha at the homestay, has been detained in connection with the case. Police said they are investigating the circumstances of the death and have not accepted his account without scrutiny.
According to police, Ali told investigators that Nimisha had died by suicide. Authorities, however, said they are examining all available evidence and the events leading up to her death before drawing any conclusion.
What Police Say Happened
Nimisha was reportedly found unconscious at the homestay and was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead.
Police said Ali told them that Nimisha had allegedly died by hanging from a ceiling fan.
DCP West Bolin Deori was quoted as saying that this was Ali’s account of the incident.
At the same time, police have indicated that the explanation is being examined as part of the broader investigation. Officers are looking into what happened before the death, the statements of people at the property and other available evidence.
Police Yet to Establish Exact Circumstances
Investigators have not publicly concluded whether the death was a suicide or whether any other circumstances were involved.
Authorities are examining the scene, witness statements and other evidence as part of the inquiry. The precise cause and circumstances of Nimisha’s death remain under investigation.
Ali’s detention should not be treated as proof of criminal culpability. Any allegations against him remain subject to the ongoing investigation and due process.
Family Friend Makes Claim About Phone Call
A separate claim has emerged from a family friend of Nimisha, and investigators are reportedly examining it.
According to the friend, Nimisha had told her family that she planned to spend the night at a friend’s house. The friend further claimed that Nimisha later called her mother during the night and said:
“They will kill me.”
The family friend also alleged that Nimisha’s phone was then “probably snatched.”
This account has not been independently established, and it remains part of the information investigators are expected to verify.
Homestay Caretaker’s Statement
The homestay caretaker has reportedly given investigators another account that is being examined.
According to the caretaker, he heard a man shouting during the night and asking someone to get up.
Police are expected to assess this statement alongside other evidence to determine whether it is consistent with the sequence of events established during the investigation.
Nimisha Thakuria Was a Gauhati University Student
Nimisha was reportedly a Sociology student at Gauhati University and a resident of Dharapur.
Homestay staff told police that Nimisha and Ali had visited the property together on several occasions, according to the supplied report.
Investigators are expected to examine their previous visits, their movements on the night of the incident and the accounts of people who may have interacted with them.
Protests and ‘Love Jihad’ Allegations
The incident has also triggered protests by some organisations.
Protesters have alleged a connection with what they describe as “love jihad.” However, that allegation remains unproven, and police have not concluded that Nimisha’s death was part of such a conspiracy.
The claim should therefore not be presented as an established explanation for the death. Whether any criminal conspiracy was involved, or whether the case has any connection to such allegations, remains a matter for the investigation.
Investigation Underway
Police are continuing to examine multiple aspects of the case, including:
| Area of Investigation | What Police Are Examining |
|---|---|
| Companion’s account | Ali’s version of events |
| Circumstances of death | What happened at the homestay |
| Witness statements | Accounts from staff and others present |
| Family-friend claim | Reported warning call and missing-phone allegation |
| Caretaker’s account | Sounds and activity heard during the night |
| Other evidence | Material relevant to determining the sequence of events |
The investigation is expected to establish whether the available accounts are consistent with the physical and other evidence.
What Happens Next?
Police will continue collecting statements and examining evidence before determining the circumstances surrounding Nimisha Thakuria’s death.
The detention of Asif Ali is part of the ongoing inquiry and does not by itself establish guilt. Any further legal action will depend on the findings of the investigation and applicable evidence.
Conclusion
The death of Gauhati University student Nimisha Thakuria at a Guwahati homestay is under investigation, with police examining conflicting accounts surrounding what happened.
While the man accompanying her has been detained and police have recorded his claim that she died by suicide, authorities have not said that the case has been conclusively established. A family friend’s account of a late-night warning call and a caretaker’s statement about hearing shouting are also being examined.
Separately, protests have produced allegations of a connection with “love jihad,” but those claims remain unproven. The exact circumstances and cause of Nimisha’s death will depend on the outcome of the police investigation and available evidence.
