Bhubaneswar: Former Jharsuguda MLA Deepali Das on Wednesday asked the Mohan Majhi government to clear its stance on CBI probe into the murder of her father Naba Kishore Das, who was gunned down by a policeman on January 29, 2023, while serving as Health Minister in the previous BJD regime.
“Two BJP legislators raised the issue in the state Assembly and the CM himself had assured a probe into it. Six to seven months have passed since then but no police officer has contacted my family in this regard. Meanwhile, one-sided reports are being broadcast, pointing fingers at my family and questioning our position on it. Some BJP leaders are also levelling false accusations against me, questioning my love for my father. We feel mentally harassed by such allegations. Today I have just one question, will the BJP government stand by us and order a CBI investigation into the death of my father?” she asked, pointing at lack of clarity on the issue.
Deepali clarified that his family is all for an investigation by the central agency into the broad daylight murder of her father. “My brother was detained in Chhattisgarh without any warrant or jurisdiction, and today, they are asking me for a written request for the CBI probe. I would request Chief Minister Mohan Mjahi to allow my family a meeting in this regard,” she added.
In August, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan had told the media that the BJP government would reopen Naba Das’ case along with assassination of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in 2008, Kalahandi teacher Mamita Meher in 2022.
The BJP had also demanded a CBI probe into the murder while in Opposition in the state. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari had raised the issue in Lok Sabha as an MP, in February 2023, demanding a probe by the central agency to dig out the reason as to why the policeman killed Naba Das.
Deepali has now put the ball in the BJP government’s court and it is to be seen if it will stand by its words of reopening the case and ordering a CBI probe into it.
