The family of Ramanuj Goswami, who died after allegedly jumping from a moving police vehicle while being taken to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for a medical examination, has questioned the circumstances surrounding his death.
Goswami’s father said he did not believe that his son, who had surrendered before the authorities, would have attempted to escape from police custody or taken such a step.
He also said the family would have Goswami’s body examined to determine whether there were any marks that could indicate a gunshot injury. The father recalled that Ramanuj had earlier been reported to be in a poor mental state and said he had previously raised concerns with a media organisation about taking his son into custody.
According to the family, Goswami’s last rites will be performed at the Gauripur crematorium after the completion of the required legal and postmortem formalities.
Goswami’s father further said that Hatigaon Police Station OC Brahma had informed him that Ramanuj died after falling from the roof of GMCH. This account differs from the version given by police.
Police said Goswami was in seven-day police custody at Hatigaon Police Station in connection with the alleged murder of his wife, Riya Talukdar. DCP (East) Tabu Ram Pegu said Goswami was being taken to GMCH at around 2 am when the police vehicle developed a tyre problem.
According to Pegu, the punctured tyre was replaced with the spare tyre. After the journey resumed, Goswami allegedly attacked an escorting constable near the nursing college, kicked him and opened the rear door of the vehicle.
Police said Goswami then allegedly jumped from the moving vehicle in an attempt to escape custody. Another police account placed the incident near Narakasur Hills while the vehicle was travelling from Hatigaon towards GMCH.
Police maintained that Goswami was not shot and sustained fatal injuries after the fall. He was immediately taken to GMCH, where doctors declared him brought dead.
GMCH Superintendent Dr Debjit Choudhury said Goswami was brought to the casualty ward at around 3:41 am as a road traffic accident victim. He said immediate tests, including an ECG, were conducted as per protocol and that detailed findings would be available only after the postmortem examination.
According to the hospital’s preliminary examination, there was no bullet wound on Goswami’s body. Choudhury also said the body had several tattoos, although they were not clearly readable.
Goswami had been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of his wife, Riya Talukdar, at their residence in the Basisthapur area of Guwahati.
Police said Riya was allegedly killed following an argument between the couple. The dispute was reportedly linked to Goswami’s suspicion that she was involved in an extramarital relationship.
