Naba Das Murder In Odisha: Crime Branch Probe Failed To Give Desired Result, Claims Bijoy Mohapatra

By OB Bureau On May 27, 2023

Bhubaneswar: A day after the Crime Branch of Odisha Police submitted a 543-page preliminary chargesheet in Naba Das murder case, veteran politician Bijoy Mohapatra on Saturday claimed that the probe into the sensational killing failed to yield the desired result.

The chargesheet was filed in Jharsuguda JMFC Court on Friday. Sources said charges have been framed against the main accused, Gopal Das, under Sections 307, 302 of IPC and 27 (1) of the Arms Act and the murder attributed to past enmity.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the manner in which the probe was conducted, Mohapatra claimed that the investigation appeared to have lost its direction and the Crime Branch failed to deliver what it was expected to.

Recalling that he was the first to demand thorough probe to establish the motive of the high-profile murder, the senior leader said it is still a question mark whether they have investigated from that angle or not.

Stating that the Crime Branch first described Gopal Das as mentally unsound, he said there are many lapses in the investigation that were committed in phases.

However, the chargesheet stated that the mental condition of Gopal Das was quite normal and there was no abnormality. He was cooperative in the investigation and replied to all the questions asked in cogent manner, it said, adding that he committed the crime in his senses and in a pre-planned manner.

Mohapatra said a thorough analysis of the chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch will show there are many lapses. Claiming that the Crime Branch seemed to have turned into a ‘cover up’ branch, Mohapatra said investigation was not conducted properly.

The chargesheet, filed nearly four months after the sensational murder, is based on the statements of eyewitnesses and reports of scientific team against the dismissed ASI, who pulled the trigger on Naba Das while he was on his way to attend an official programme at Brajarajnagar town in Jharsuguda district on January 29.