HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, July 16: A 35-year-old man undergoing treatment at the New Life Foundation Rehabilitation Centre in Bargolai, Margherita, died under mysterious circumstances on Monday night, triggering widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of the controversial facility.
The deceased, David Phukan of Lahowal in Dibrugarh district, had been admitted to the centre for nearly a year for de-addiction treatment.
His sudden and unexplained death has alarmed family members, who have accused the rehabilitation facility—reportedly owned by Rupam Gogoi—of negligence and abuse.
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According to Phukan’s family, the centre’s staff transported his body to their residence without informing authorities or arranging for any medical attention.
They have further alleged that inmates at the facility are routinely subjected to physical and mental abuse.
Following the incident, Margherita Police launched an investigation and sent the body for post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death.
Meanwhile, Rupam Gogoi, the owner of the facility, has gone missing and is currently absconding.
This is not the first time the New Life Foundation has faced serious allegations.
Local residents and community activists have raised concerns in the past about multiple unexplained deaths at the centre.
However, no significant punitive action has reportedly been taken so far by the Tinsukia District Administration, the Margherita Co-District administration, or Margherita Police.
Activists and social organisations have long accused the centre of operating in unhygienic and unsafe conditions.
Public anger is now mounting, with several citizen groups demanding that the facility either be shut down or brought under strict regulatory oversight.
As of the filing of this report, Margherita Police have launched a manhunt to trace Rupam Gogoi, who remains untraceable following the incident.
