Nimisha Thakuria, a 22-year-old student of Gauhati University, died at a homestay in Dharapur. Her death has now become one of the most closely followed cases in Assam. What first looked like a possible suicide has now turned into a murder investigation. Police have arrested a second suspect. A key person who was present that night has gone missing. And serious lapses in homestay rules have come to light.
Second Suspect Arrested: Homestay Employee Accused of Aiding the Crime
Police arrested Mintu Ali, an employee of the Rudra’s Kitchen homestay. They accuse him of trying to destroy evidence in the Nimisha Thakuria case. Investigators say Mintu supplied alcohol to the main accused, Ashiq Ali, that night. He also entered Room No. 10, where Ashiq and Nimisha Thakuria were staying. Why he went inside that room is now a key question for police.
Police also sealed the homestay. They found that Nimisha Thakuria and Ashiq had stayed there five times in one month. The homestay never asked for their ID proof. Police questioned the owner and three employees. They have promised action against those responsible.
Key Person Missing: Rupam Saikia’s Disappearance
The Nimisha Thakuria case took a dramatic turn when Rupam Saikia went missing. Rupam is a friend of Ashiq Ali. His mother says he was at the homestay that night.
Here is what his mother told police. Ashiq called Rupam on the evening of September 26. Rupam left home at 7:10 PM. He reached the homestay around 7:30 PM. He carried half a bottle of alcohol. He drank with Ashiq and Nimisha Thakuria. He left around 9:40 PM. He later went to Mirza after hearing about a relative’s death. He returned home the next morning.
But then his mother scolded him for drinking. Rupam left home again on his motorcycle. He said he was going to his aunt’s place. Since then, his phone is switched off. His family has not been able to reach him for three days. His mother filed a missing person complaint at Jalukbari Police Station. Police traced his phone’s last location to a field behind a company in Rampur.
However, reports soon conflicted. DCP (West) Balin Deuri later said Rupam was not missing. He said police had detained Rupam for questioning. He called Rupam a “common friend” of both Nimisha Thakuria and Ashiq. Rupam drank with them and then left the scene.
Investigation Direction: From “Suicide” to “Premeditated Murder”
The main accused, Ashiq Ali, first claimed that Nimisha Thakuria died by suicide. He said she hanged herself from a fan. Police did not accept this claim. The investigation now points to a much darker scenario.
Police sources say they are now investigating the Nimisha Thakuria case as murder. Investigators found that Ashiq has prior criminal records for theft and robbery. They also found that he had booked two rooms in advance at the homestay. The emerging theory is that Ashiq tried to stage Nimisha Thakuria’s death as a suicide. He wanted to mislead investigators. Mintu allegedly helped him.
Police registered a case at Azara Police Station under BNS Sections 127(2), 117(2), 70(1), and 103(1). These sections cover wrongful confinement, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, gang rape, and murder. Ashiq is now in eight days of police custody.
What’s Next: Awaiting Forensic and Post-Mortem Reports
The Nimisha Thakuria case now depends on two crucial reports:
- Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report
- Post-mortem report
Nimisha Thakuria’s father has spoken publicly. He said his daughter suffered before her death. He demanded that those responsible face the same punishment. He also revealed that Nimisha Thakuria called her mother around 2 AM that night. She said, “Ma, they have beaten me. They punched me in my chest and assaulted me. I am injured.” The family could not reach her after that call.
Police have acknowledged that Nimisha Thakuria suffered multiple injuries. These injuries came from a violent altercation after a verbal dispute. DCP (West) Balin Deuri said police will not draw any conclusions until the FSL and autopsy reports arrive.
Summary: What began as a suspected suicide has become a murder investigation in the Nimisha Thakuria case. A second suspect is in custody. The prime accused has a criminal history. A key person from that night remains unaccounted for. And the homestay where the tragedy happened ran without basic guest verification for weeks. The final picture will only emerge once the forensic and post-mortem reports are available.
