Bhubaneswar: A fresh debate has cropped up in Odisha over the murder of former Minister Naba Kishore Das with a BJD MLA demanding a CBI probe into the killing and family of the slain leader expressing doubts over the course of investigation.
On the other hand, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan alleged that the previous government had attempted to stall the investigation by police into the daylight murder of Naba Das, the then Health Minister, on January 29, 2023.
Raising the issue, BJD MLA from Dabugam in Nabarangpur district, Manohar Randhari on Friday demanded a CBI probe into the sensational murder case. Though BJP had earlier demanded a CBI probe when it was not in power, it failed to take any step in this regard after coming to power, he said.
Even after repeated requests from the family of Naba Das, the government has not written to the CBI for a probe, he claimed, urging the state government to hand over the case to the CBI to unravel the truth.
Speaking at the memorial programme on the third death anniversary of Naba Das, his daughter and former MLA Dipali Das made certain remarks which sparked widespread discussion in political and public circles. Her remarks have once again brought the murder case into sharp focus, underlining the need for transparency and justice.
Responding to Dipali’s remarks, the Law Minister said that the government has taken note of the family’s concerns.
Stating that the Crime Branch has resumed the investigation based on doubts raised by the family, he said the Crime Branch is conducting a thorough probe into all aspects of the case, including the possible conspiracy and the involvement of others.
While the previous government had tried to scuttle the investigation, the probe gained momentum again after the family met Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, claimed Harichandan, expressing confidence that justice would be delivered soon.
It may be noted that Naba Das was allegedly shot by Gopal Das, a former assistant sub-inspector of police, at Brajrajnagar in Jharsuguda district on January 29, 2023. He was airlifted to Bhubaneswar but was declared dead at a private hospital.
The accused was arrested the next day, and the state government had entrusted the probe to the Odisha Crime Branch. The Crime Branch has already submitted a chargesheet against Gopal Das in a trial court in Jharsuguda.
