Accused in Beltola killing sustains fatal injuries after leap from moving police vehicle
Guwahati: A 30-year-old man arrested in connection with the killing of his wife in the Beltola area died early on Monday after allegedly jumping from a moving police vehicle while being taken for a medical examination, police said.
The accused has been identified as Ramanuj Goswami, who was in custody in connection with the September 3 death of his 25-year-old wife, Riya Talukdar, Hatigaon Police and city police officials said.
- Time of transfer: Around 2.00 am officers took Goswami from Hatigaon Police Station for a mandatory medical check as his nearly 24-hour custody period was nearing completion, Deputy Commissioner of Police Taburam Pegu said.
- Vehicle trouble: The police vehicle's tyre punctured near TV Tower and was replaced; thereafter, while the vehicle was moving again near Nursing College, Goswami allegedly kicked an escorting constable and jumped out, the DCP said.
- Injuries and death: He sustained serious injuries after the fall and was taken to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where Superintendent Devajit Choudhury said Goswami was brought at about 3.41 am and declared brought dead on arrival.
Police said the escorting constable was also injured and received medical treatment. Authorities are examining the circumstances to determine whether Goswami's action was an attempt to escape custody or an act of self-harm.
“The intention is under examination and we’re probing whether it was suicidal or an attempt to escape,”
DCP Taburam Pegu said the accused had been handcuffed, but the incident was sudden and the constable did not have time to react. He described the location where Goswami jumped as sloped, which could have contributed to the severity of the fall.
Gauhati Medical College and Hospital officials confirmed the timeline provided by police. GMCH Superintendent Devajit Choudhury said hospital staff were informed of an accident at about 3.00 am and that the patient was brought to the emergency department at approximately 3.41 am and pronounced dead on arrival. He also noted there were no bullet injuries on the body.
Background to the case and ongoing probe
Goswami was arrested earlier in connection with the discovery of his wife’s body at their flat at Anjali Griha in the Basisthapur/Beltola neighbourhood. Neighbours alerted police after detecting a foul smell from the third-floor apartment, prompting a visit on September 6. According to police accounts released after the arrest, Goswami surrendered and later confessed to killing his wife on September 3 following a heated exchange.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Accused | Ramanuj Goswami, 30 |
| Victim | Riya Talukdar, 25 |
| Incident locations | Beltola (Anjali Griha), TV Tower, Nursing College, Narakasur Pahar, Hatigaon Police Station |
| Medical facility | Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) |
Police said evidence was recovered from the couple’s flat during the investigation. Local officers have said the matter remains under active inquiry, and forensic and procedural aspects surrounding custody and the transfer are being examined.
The incident has raised questions about custodial safety measures and procedures for transporting detainees in Guwahati. DCP Pegu offered an initial account of the sequence of events and confirmed an inquiry into why more secure restraints were not in place; he repeated that Goswami had been handcuffed when the episode occurred.
Hatigaon Police and city authorities said they will complete formalities including an inquest and further medical-legal procedures as part of the ongoing probe. The body was shifted to the GMCH mortuary following the declaration of death.
The case remains sensitive for the local community in Beltola, a busy residential and commercial area of Guwahati, where residents and neighbourhood groups have been following developments since the arrest. Authorities have appealed for patience as the investigation proceeds.
