Jharsuguda: After reopening the high-profile Naba Das murder case, the Odisha Crime Branch on Wednesday stepped up investigation into the daylight killing of the senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader more than two years ago.
As part of the fresh probe, a Crime Branch team visited the Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) and Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda.
Sources said the probe team aimed to obtain information pertaining to the events that followed the attack on Naba Kishore Das at Brajarajnagar on January 29, 2023.
The team focused on the sequence of events, particularly how and when Naba Das was airlifted after he was shot at by a policeman.
As part of the investigation, the team also questioned two doctors who had provided medical treatment to Naba Das after the shooting.
It may be noted that a two-member Crime Branch team recorded the statements of the slain BJD leader’s daughter, Dipali Das and son Bishal Das, spending over 7 hours at his residence at Sarabahal in Jhaarsuguda.
On Wednesday, the investigating officers first visited the hospital where they questioned the doctors who treated Naba Das after he was shot. Later, they proceeded to the Veer Surendra Sai Airport, where they investigated the circumstances surrounding Naba Das’s airlift to Bhubaneswar after the shooting and how the operation was carried out, and who accompanied Das during those critical moments.
Besides, the Crime Branch team reportedly inquired about the exact time the plane departed for Bhubaneswar, and other crucial details.
Additional SP of Crime Branch Vijay Mallick said the agency has recorded the statement of Minati Das and will verify it. A team also visited the hospital to inquire about the treatment the Minister was provided after he was fired at. At the Jharsuguda airport, the Crime Branch enquired about the specifics of how and when Naba Das was airlifted to Bhubaneswar after the attack.
It may be recalled that the then Health Minister Naba Das was shot at allegedly by ASI Gopal Das at Brajarajnagar on January 29, 2023. He was later declared dead at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.
