Rourkela: The assistant sub-inspector of police (ASI), who pulled the trigger on Health Minister of Odisha Naba Kishore Das, was grilled by the Crime Branch for the second consecutive day at Sundargarh reserve office on Monday.
According to sources, he was questioned about his motive behind firing at the minister. Whether he was aggrieved about something, which prompted him to take this step, or there was a conspiracy behind it. Had he been planning the murder and what was the reason for killing him in public? Gopal was also asked about his mental illness and whether the police department was aware of it.
ADG Arun Bothra and IG (northern range) Deepak Kumar were reportedly present during the questioning.
Gopal is likely to be forwarded to court soon and the CB may seek his remand for seven days to continue with the interrogation. He was grilled for about 2 hours the previous day.
Notably, a seven-member special Investigating team, comprising cyber expert, ballistic expert and CB officers, reached Jharsuguda on Sunday. While DSP Ramesh Chandra Dora is leading the team, Bothara also accompanied them to personally supervise and monitor the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-In-Charge (IIC) of Brajarajnagar police station, Pradyumna Swain, has lodged an FIR against Gopal, which states that he fired on the minister with the intention to kill. “ASI GK Das of Gandhi Chowk Police Outpost, who was deployed for traffic clearance duty came close to Minister Naba Kishore Das and opened fire from his service pistol from a close range aiming at Minister with a clear intention to kill him.”
The accused ASI fired two rounds from his 9mm pistol. Another person, identified as Jibanlal Nayak (Rintu) of Kalinagar, also received a bullet injury, it added.
On the basis of the complaint, a case has been registered under Section 307 of the IPC and 27 (1) of the Arms Act.
Naba Das, who was shot at in the chest, succumbed to the bullet injury at a private hospital in Odisha capital on Sunday evening.
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