[Watch] Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Has No Faith In Crime Branch Probe In Naba Das Murder: BJP

Bhubaneswar: Mounting a scathing attack on Odisha’s BJD government over Naba Das killing, BJP on Tuesday claimed that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has no faith in the Crime Branch of state police which is probing the mysterious murder case.

By writing to the Orissa High Court to name a sitting or retired judge to monitor the probe in the sensational murder case, the state government has proved that it has no faith on the Crime Branch, alleged BJP spokesperson Pitambar Acharya.

The senior BJP leader told reporters in Bhubaneswar that the Naveen Patnaik government should make public the order of appointment of the retired judge to monitor the probe in the murder case.

Terming the appointment of retired judge of High Court Justice JP Das as illegal, he questioned the basis on which the High Court’s monitoring committee was formed, and alleged that the state government is using the HC for its own purpose.

Stating that this is not a judicial proceeding nor a consultation under the Judicial Commission Act, Acharya wondered as to why the state government should use the name of the High Court.

Moreover, Justice J P Das has not been judicially appointed to monitor and supervise a statutorily conducted police investigation, the senior BJP leader and advocate said.

Supporters and friends of the slain Minister are claiming that some top leaders are behind a conspiracy in the murder, he alleged and efforts should be made to identify the conspirators.

It seems the Chief Minister does not want to know about the conspiracy and identify the conspirators, Acharya claimed, adding that Naveen should take steps to hand over the probe to a third agency like CBI to ensure transparency.

Dismissing the allegations made by Acharya, BJD leaders said the opposition is in the habit of making wild charges.