[Watch] Naba Das Case: Aware Of The Delay, But Will Wait For CB’s Final Report, Says Dipali

Jharsuguda: Daughter of slain Odisha minister Naba Das on Sunday refused to comment on the ongoing probe into his murder till the Crime Branch (CB) submits its final report in the case.

“I am aware that a lot of time has passed since his death, but I have faith in Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He was very fond of my father and he has stood by us during these trying times. I strongly believe that my father and our family will get justice,” Dipali said while attending a function on the occasion of 107th birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik at Badmal here.

To a query on joining politics, she said there is no confirmation yet on who will contest the bypoll to Jharsuguda. “I am already into public service, but it has nothing to do with politics. My father always encouraged me to serve people. I will take his values and principle forward and make him proud,” she said, adding that they will support whoever is chosen by the chief minister.

Dipali further said that her father had a whole lot of plans for development of Jharsuguda, including heart and cancer hospitals. “It is not only the responsibility of my brother or our family but also the people of Jharsuguda to ensure that his dreams for the constituency become a reality,” she added.

Naba was shot dead by dismissed assistant sub-inspector Gopal Das on January 29. Recently, the Jharsuguda district and sessions court here on Friday rejected Crime Branch petition, seeking permission to take Gopal to National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, for further examination. 

While Gopal has confessed to have shot the minister, the CB is heavily banking on the proposed mental health assessment as the former may take the plea of “insanity defence” in the court.