Bhubaneswar: BJP stalwart and Leader of Opposition Jaynarayan Mishra levelled serious allegations against police police officers engaged in the Crime Branch probe into the murder of Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das, and claimed that the investigation is unlikely to be fair and impartial.
The senior BJP leader also voiced concern over the safety of dismissed policeman Gopal Das, accused of killing the Minister, and demanded central force for his security. Mishra alleged that the former Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), who has been arrested by the Crime Branch of Odisha police for allegedly murdering the Minister, is not safe.
Raising questions over the credibility of Crime Branch, the firebrand BJP leader claimed that the teams conducting the probe in Naba Das murder included three members against whom the CB is carrying out inquiry.
Mishra alleged that DSP Ramesh Bora, who is heading one of the teams in the probe, is facing a case relating to false caste certificate and the Crime Branch is investigating it. “That means Ramesh Bora is an accused before the CB in a case,” he said, expressing doubts about the outcome of the probe in the Minister’s murder case.
Similarly, another official Jibanananda Jena was the IIC of Puri and Jagatsinghpur police stations when two custodial deaths took place, he claimed, adding the Crime Branch is inquiring both the cases against Jena. Therefore, he is bound to act at the behest of the government, Mishra claimed.
Besides, former IIC of Rengali Dhabaleswar Sahu is an accused in a case relating to a fake encounter, the BJP leader claimed, adding Sahu is also accused of extorting money from a businessman from Chhattisgarh.
The Crime branch was probing the case after Chhattisgarh police chief spoke to Odisha DGP, he claimed, and wondered as to how one can expect fair and impartial probe from such a police official.
Referring to the death inside Kantabanji jail of Gobinda Sahu, the prime acccused in teacher Mamita Meher murder case, the senior BJP leader told reporters that he is concerned about the safety and security of Gopal Das.
Stating that he has no faith in Odisha police, he claimed that anything can happen to the ex-ASI and said adequate central force should be provided for his security.
“If any harm is caused to Gopal Das, the state government will be held responsible,” Mishra said.
Stating that the family members of Gopal Das may keep silent due to political interest and other reasons, the BJP leader said for the state’s interest and security, investigation in the case should be handed over to CBI.
