BJD Demands Judicial Probe Into Police Mitra Murder In Bhubaneswar; BJP Reacts

Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday demanded a judicial probe into the brutal murder of Sahadev Nayak, a Police Mitra in Bhubaneswar.

Presenting an earlier video related to the incident, the regional party sought a thorough probe into an alleged visit by some people in the name of police personnel to the victim’s residence. BJD claimed that a message about threat to Nayak’s life was previously sent to Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, BJD leader Goutam Buddha Das said that STF of Crime Branch was working as a dedicated team during the previous government. However, the anti-crime agency is not functioning properly now under the BJP government, he alleged.

Raising questions about the role of police in dealing with drug peddling, he sought to know as to how murders like that of Sahadev Nayak are taking place.

Since a police informer who had been raising his voice against the illegal drug trade was killed, a judicial inquiry must be ordered to bring the truth to the fore, Das said.

Meanwhile, police apprehended at least five accused suspects in connection with the brutal murder. BJP leaders assured that employment will be provided to the victim’s widow based on her educational qualification.

Reacting sharply to the BJD allegation, BJP leaders accused the regional party of politicising the incident during Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention.

BJP MLA from Bhubaneswar-Ekamra Babu Singh said BJD leaders should refrain from politicising the issue. They should stop inciting sanitation workers to go on protest in the state capital just to derive political mileage, he said.