The investigation into the death of a 21‑year‑old woman at a Dharapur homestay has revealed possible foul play, according to DCP Bolin Deori.
The woman and a male companion were allowed to stay despite lacking proper documentation, a lapse that has now become a focus of the probe.
An altercation erupted late at night, prompting the woman to call her mother at about 2 a.m. Police reached the premises, transported her to a hospital, and declared her dead upon arrival.
CCTV footage from the homestay and surrounding areas is under scrutiny, along with injury marks found on the body that suggest assault.
The woman’s family claims she warned her mother about “these people,” a claim the police are verifying but has yet to be independently confirmed.
A case has been registered; the male companion has been brought before a court after an eight‑day custody period, and other guests at the homestay are being questioned.
Allegations that the companion had ties to drug peddlers surfaced, but local residents’ claims have not yet yielded concrete evidence, Deori said.
The police are also examining lapses in guest verification and record‑keeping at the homestay, with potential regulatory action pending if violations are confirmed.
A court hearing is scheduled for next week, and the investigation will determine whether the death is a homicide or a tragic accident.