Nimisha Thakuria Death: Boyfriend Asif Ali Arrested After Gauhati University Student Found Dead at Homestay

A 22-year-old Gauhati University student was found dead inside a homestay room in Guwahati early Saturday, following which police arrested her 26-year-old boyfriend, Asif Ali. Police said they are not convinced by Ali's claim that the woman, identified as Nimisha Thakuria, died by suicide and are investigating the case as a suspected murder.

The post-mortem examination report was awaited at the time of filing the report. Police said no blood was found on the woman's body or on the floor.

Two key claims have emerged as investigators probe the circumstances surrounding her death. A family friend alleged that Thakuria called her mother during the night and said, "They will kill me," before her phone was "probably snatched". The claim has not yet been independently established and is part of the police investigation.

A homestay caretaker also told NDTV that he heard a man shouting during the night, reportedly saying, "Dada, utho, utho" (Brother, get up, get up).

What Happened to the Gauhati University Student?

According to police, Thakuria, a Sociology student and resident of Dharapur, was staying at a homestay in Garal with Ali. She was reportedly brought unconscious to a local health facility before being referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where doctors declared her dead. Anwesha Saikia Death: Friend Claims She Took Drugs in Bathroom, Says ‘I’m Not Her Mother To Stop Her’ (Videos).

Guwahati West DCP Bolin Deori said Ali told police that Thakuria had died by suicide. However, police said they did not accept his account at this stage.

"We don't believe his version. We need to continue our investigation," Deori said.

The DCP added, "The inquiry is in the preliminary stage. And we suspect this as a kind of murder." He also said police had not found blood on the body or the floor.

Police are questioning the homestay owner, caretakers and other staff members as part of the investigation. Assam Gangrape Horror: Woman S*xually Assaulted by 7 in Silchar as Boyfriend Watches Helplessly, INR 10,000 Extorted; 2 Arrested.

Family Friend Claims Woman Called Mother

Gautam Das, a neighbour and family friend of Thakuria's father, said the woman had left home around 5 pm on Friday after telling her family she was going to a friend's home.

According to Das, Thakuria's mother spoke to her around 8 pm and was told that she was having dinner and might stay at her friend's house if it became late.

Das claimed that around 2 am, Thakuria called her mother while crying.

"At around 2 am, the girl called her mother and was crying. She said, 'They will kill me, Mom.' She repeated that they would kill her. After that, her phone was probably snatched," Das said.

He said the family later informed police at Azara police station and went to GMCH after learning that the woman had been taken there.

Das added that the family "strongly suspect that this is a murder case", citing the alleged phone call.

Homestay Caretaker Recalls Hearing Man's Voice

Bipul Bailung, a cook and caretaker at the homestay, said he heard a male voice shouting during the night.

"But I heard a male voice screaming, 'Dada, utho, utho' (Brother, get up), asking someone to get up," Bailung told NDTV.

He said he and two colleagues went outside after hearing the voice but initially did not find anyone. Bailung claimed that he later heard a crying voice and went towards the room.

"We went towards the room the crying was coming from. There, we found a boy holding a girl, whose body was lying on the floor," he said.

Bailung also said the couple had booked Room Number 10 while Room Number 9 was empty and that the two rooms were used. Some homestay staff members reportedly said the pair had stayed there previously.

Protest Erupts Over Student's Death

The death also led to protests by some organisations. Protesters raised allegations around the circumstances of the death and some invoked the term "love jihad", a conspiracy theory promoted by some right-wing Hindu groups alleging that Muslim men deliberately target Hindu women for relationships and religious conversion.

The woman was Hindu and Ali is Muslim. Police have not established any such motive and the investigation into the circumstances of Thakuria's death is ongoing.

Police reached the spot and appealed to protesters to clear the road. The blockade was subsequently lifted.

The post-mortem report and ongoing police investigation are expected to provide further information about the cause and circumstances of the student's death.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2026 05:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).