MHA Approached For FBI Assistance In Naba Das Murder: Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has moved the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seeking assistance of American’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Health Minister Naba Kishore Das’ murder case, the state Assembly was informed on Monday.

As per the guideline on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in criminal cases, such request can be made through the MHA, Minister of State for Home Tusharkanti Behera said while replying a question by Congress MLA Narasingha Mishra.

In accordance with this provision, the Odisha Government has sought the assistance of FBI. However, the MHA is yet to make a reply in this regard, he said.

Narasingha Mishra, MLA from Balangir, sought details from the state government on its announcement earlier that it will make a request to MHA for support of FBI in investigation in the murder of Naba Kishore Das.

The Congress legislator sought to know it there is any information with the state government about FBI. He wanted to know whether FBI has either investigated or provided support, guidance to any state police in the country during police investigation into a criminal offence/case in the concerned state.

Answering to the question, the Minister stated that information about any other state seeking help of FBI of USA during police investigation into a criminal offence is not available.

As per information received from CID, CB, Odisha, the Ministry of Home Affairs has shared with all the states a comprehensive guideline for investigation abroad and issue of letters Rogatory (LRs) and Mutual Legal Assistance.

The MLAT is a mechanism whereby countries operate with one another in order to provide and obtain formal assistance in prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime. India has MLA treaties/bilateral agreements with many countries including US, he said.