‘Bahubali Neta’ Of Western Odisha Behind Naba Das Murder, Claims Congress MLA Tara Bahinipati

File photo

Bhubaneswar: Even as the Crime Branch is yet to ascertain the motive behind Minister Naba Das’ murder, senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati on Wednesday alleged that an influential (bahubali) leader of western Odisha is behind the mysterious killing.

The firebrand leader’s fresh claim came a day after BJP stalwart and Leader of Opposition pointed accusing fingers at an IAS officer and a ruling BJD legislator and sought verification of their phone calls.

“It is suspected that a ‘bahubali neta (influential leader) from western Odisha is involved in the murder of Naba Das. People are talking about it,” the legislator told reporters.

Claiming that the slain leader had once told him that he was not in good terms with the leader concerned, Bahinipati demanded that the particular leader should be brought under the purview of investigation into the sensational murder being carried out by the Crime Branch.

“The role of the leader from western Odisha must be investigated to get to the bottom of the crime,” he said, claiming that the leader has been acting behind the scene and he should be brought to the fore.

Hitting out at the state government over the probe into the Minister’s murder, Bahinipati said it seems efforts are being made to declare accused policeman Gopal Das a mad person, and the government should make its position clear.

As the Crime Branch of Odisha police is still unable to ascertain the exact reason behind the killing, Congress has been demanding a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the murder, the senior leader said.

Attacking the state government in same vein, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Narasingha Mishra alleged that the killing of Naba Das was a pre-planned crime. However, the state government does not want to unravel the conspiracy behind the crime.