Naba Das Killing: Confession Of Accused Not Enough; Odisha DGP Reveals Probe Details

Bhubaneswar: Director General of Police (DGP) Sunil Bansal on Friday said the probe into Health Minister Naba Das’ murder was underway to examine all possible angles of the crime since the confession of the accused, Gopal Das, was alone not enough for his conviction.

“The criminal is known as we have video evidence and can file a chargesheet, but the investigation is on to rule out any angle or anything which we may not be seeing right now. We should not jump to any conclusion and focus only on evidence and not on figments of imagination or wild allegations. A principle of a good investigation is that all options are open. Whatever clue or evidence emerges during the probe, we will take it to the logical conclusion,” he said, breaking his five-day silence on the case.

The DGP further said one of the best investing officers with a stint with the CBI, ADG Crime Branch Arun Bothra, had been camping at the spot and personally investigating the case. The entire investigation is being monitored by a retired Orissa High Court judge.

“We have contacted Central Forensic Science Laboratory and I have personally discussed the matter with Home Ministry officials and they assured us to extend all possible help. A CSFL team will be visiting Odisha to carry out a scientific investigation,” said Bansal.

The CFSL’s help has been also been sought to conduct a forensic psychological assessment and layered voice analysis test of the accused ASI to learn about his mental state.

He further said that the central government has assured every possible help in the investigation process. “The seized objects, including the handwritten notes, will be sent for forensic examination. It will be premature to comment on that before the examination,” he said.

On the motive behind the murder, he said, “It is hidden in the mind of a person and there’s no machine which can read the mind of a person. We have to take into account all circumstances, starting from his appointment with Odisha police to the day of the incident.”

Notably, the accused has stuck to the position that he was alone in his plan to eliminate Naba because of his personal hatred.

Answering a question regarding the alleged bipolar disorder of the accused, the DGP said, “It’s important to ascertain if he had bipolar disorder and also whether did it contribute to the crime. I am not competent to answer whether he was suffering from bipolar disorder. An expert can answer as to what extent it contributed to the crime.”

The DGP said that the role of the PSO in the murder is also being probed. “He has been suspended. If dereliction of duty on his part is found, necessary action will be taken against him. We are taking steps to ensure that such incidents don’t take place again,” Bansal added.

The health minister was shot in the chest by Gopal Das, a former ASI of police, at Gandhi Chhak in Jharsuguda’s Brajrajnagar on January 29. He was airlifted to Bhubaneswar but succumbed while undergoing treatment at a private hospital here.