Bhubaneswar: After two years, Naba Das’ assassination in broad daylight has again grabbed headlines with BJP and BJD sparring over the investigation amid evidence tampering allegations.
Questions were raised about the missing blood-stained shirt of the slain BJD leader in the seizure list submitted with the State Forensic Science Laboratory. And It has now emerged that the hospital incinerated it without informing police.
Naba Das died at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on January 30, 2023, hours after he was shot by assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gopal Das at Brajrajnagar. Interestingly, COVID protocols was cited as the reason though the regulations were not in effect in 2023.
The Crime Branch has submitted written document from the hospital, acknowledging the same, in the court in Jharsuguda, where the trial is in progress, TOI reported, quoting sources in the agency.
The seizure list also included a shirt worn by Shubhendu Patnaik, a BJD worker and a key witness in the case. He was standing near Naba Das when he was gunned down at a public gathering in Jharsuguda on January 29, 2023.
Speaking to media, Patnaik claimed that he was wearing a yellow half shirt on the fateful day and the same has been mentioned in the property seizure memo. But the Crime Branch’s witness statement report described it as a white one, raising questions about the handling and documentation of evidence.
The BJP government had opened the pandora box after assuming charge with Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan asserting to reopen the case. There was also an exchange of words between the government and Naba Das’ family over CBI probe, with his daughter Deepali on Sunday stating that she would give in writing in this regard.
The Forensic report, which mentioned that one bullet struck Naba Das while five others hit a government vehicle accompanying his convoy, also raised suspicion over involvement of additional shooters beyond the main accused. Gopal Das had fired three bullets at the then minister, since he believed there was threat to his life from him, according to the Crime Branch.
Though Gopal confessed to his crime before a judicial magistrate on February 15, 2023, his lawyer Naresh Nayak last week claimed he was innocent, while hinting at the use of a sniper to kill Naba Das, citing the forensic report.
The Crime Branch, however, has dismissed theories of multiple attackers, explaining that the five holes resulted from entry and exit points of two bullets.
On Sunday, Bargarh BJP MP Pradeep Purohit claimed that he (who dreamt of becoming chief minister) is the main conspirator. “The state crime branch investigation shielded the conspirator. Gopal Das is just a pawn,” he told reporters.
Senior BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra also alleged involvement of BJD along with an IAS and IPS officers in the assassination. “An IAS and IPS officer, along with two BJD politicians, plotted Naba’s murder. The IPS officer visited Jharsuguda a few days before Naba’s murder. Coal business and political dealings led to the murder. A CBI investigation can unravel the mystery,” he said.
BJD rubbished allegations and claimed that the investigation was on the right track. “The lone accused Gopal Das was arrested the same day. Chargesheet has already been filed and trial commenced. If the BJP government wants, they are most welcome to transfer the case to the CBI,” said senior BJD leader Bhupinder Singh.
