Husband Allegedly Kills Wife, Places Her Head In Refrigerator

Guwahati Horror: Husband Arrested After Wife’s Severed Head Found Inside Refrigerator

Guwahati, September 7, 2026: A gruesome murder case has shocked Guwahati after the severed head of a 25-year-old woman was allegedly found inside a refrigerator at a rented residence in the Basisthapur area of Hatigaon.

The deceased has been identified as Riya Talukdar Goswami, while her husband, Ramanujan Goswami, has been arrested after surrendering before the Hatigaon Police.

According to police and reports emerging from the investigation, Riya was allegedly killed following an altercation with her husband. Investigators are probing the circumstances surrounding the murder, including the alleged motive and the sequence of events that followed.

Neighbours alert police after foul smell

The incident came to light after neighbours reportedly noticed a foul smell coming from the residence. Concerned by the odour, they alerted the police, following which a team reached the flat and began searching the premises.

During the investigation, police allegedly recovered Riya’s severed head wrapped in a black polythene bag and kept inside the refrigerator. Investigators also reportedly found that some of her fingers had been severed.

A sharp-edged weapon, reportedly a machete or dao, was also recovered from the premises and has been taken for forensic examination. Bloodstains and other material evidence were collected from the residence as investigators worked to reconstruct what happened.

Police have sent the deceased’s body to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for post-mortem examination. The forensic and post-mortem reports are expected to provide further details regarding the exact cause and timeline of the death.

Husband surrenders and is arrested

Ramanujan Goswami, who has been identified by police as the prime accused, reportedly initially left the residence following the incident before later surrendering at Hatigaon Police Station.

He was subsequently taken into custody and is being questioned by investigators.

Police are examining his statements alongside forensic evidence and other material recovered from the crime scene. Officials have stressed that the investigation is still at a preliminary stage and that the exact circumstances and motive behind the murder are yet to be fully established.

Couple reportedly married around six months ago

According to reports, Riya and Ramanujan had been married for around six months and were living together in the rented residence in the Basisthapur area.

Riya was reportedly originally from Guwahati’s Noonmati and worked at a boutique in the AC Market area of Fancy Bazar. Reports said she had lost both her parents and had a brother living in Noonmati.

Ramanujan, meanwhile, has been described in reports as a cab/ride-hailing driver originally from Gauripur in Dhubri district.

Police probing alleged marital dispute

Police are investigating whether a marital dispute played a role in the alleged murder.

According to police, the couple had reportedly been involved in frequent arguments, with an alleged dispute over Riya’s character or a suspected extramarital relationship being examined as one possible factor.

However, investigators have not yet conclusively established the motive, and the allegations are part of the ongoing investigation.

Reports also indicate that neighbours had heard an argument between the couple before Ramanujan allegedly left the residence. Police are examining these accounts along with forensic evidence to establish the timeline of the incident.

Forensic investigation underway

Forensic teams have examined the residence and collected evidence that could help establish how and when the alleged murder occurred.

Investigators are also examining the recovered weapon, bloodstains and other evidence from the flat. The post-mortem examination at GMCH is expected to provide additional information that could assist the investigation.

The police are also looking into events before and after the alleged killing, including the circumstances in which the victim’s remains were allegedly kept inside the refrigerator.

Case investigation continues

The shocking nature of the incident has left residents of the Hatigaon-Basisthapur area stunned.

Ramanujan Goswami remains in police custody as investigators continue questioning him and examining the evidence collected from the scene. Police are also expected to establish the complete timeline of the incident and determine whether any other person was involved.

The accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Further details are expected to emerge as forensic reports, the post-mortem examination and police questioning progress.

Sources: India Today NE, Hindustan Times, IANS reports.