Jharsuguda: Stepping up its probe into the daylight murder of senior BJD leader Naba Kishore Das over two years ago, the Odisha Crime Branch questioned several people as part of efforts to gather more information.
As part of the extensive investigation, a Crime Branch team visited Brajarajnagar police station on Saturday and conducted a thorough probe.
Sources said the team interrogated a man named Saroj Sa, who was reportedly present at the crime scene on the day when Naba Das, then Health and Family Welfare Minister, was allegedly shot by a police ASI. He had also garlanded Naba Das when he alighted from the vehicle near Gandhi Chowk in Brajarajnagar to attend an event.
It may be noted that Saroj had reportedly retrieved the gun of the then Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Brajarajnagar after the shooting incident. The Crime Branch questioned him to gather details about the incident.
Saroj said after garlanding the then Minister, he saw Gopal Das blank firing. “We rushed to overpower him and when I went close to Gopal, I found gun holsters of the then IIC was open. Apprehending someone might snatch the firearm, I took away the gun,” he said, adding that he had no intention to attack anyone.
A senior Crime Branch official said that the statement of the man, who had garlanded Naba Das, was was recorded as he was a key witness.
Earlier on Friday, a Crime Branch team recorded the statement of radiographer Sasmita Bag at Sadar Medical College.
Similarly, statements of three officials, including the Director of Jharsuguda Airport, have been recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Crime Branch continues to piece together crucial evidence in this high-profile murder case.
