Odisha Crime Branch Summons Naba Das’ Son & Daughter For Opinion On Probe

Bhubaneswar: Amid the clamour for a CBI probe with murky details emerging from the forensic report, The Crime Branch of Odisha Police has summoned daughter and son of slain BJD leader and former minister Naba Das for their opinion on the inquiry process in the case.

The notices have been served to former Jharsuguda MLA Dipali Das and her brother Bishal Das asking them to appear before the Crime Branch on any day in the first week of March. The two have been requested to express any concerns they might have about the enquiry process.

The probing agency is yet to file a chargesheet in connection with the case.

This high-profile murder case returned to centrestage after Dipali urged the Mohan Majhi government to clarify its position on a CBI probe into the death of her father, who was shot dead by a policeman in Jharsuguda on January 29, 2023.

The state Law Minister, who had earlier hinted at reopening the case, had then advised her to write to the Chief Minister requesting for an investigation by the central agency.

The Crime Branch investigation had ruled out political and business-related disputes in Naba’s murder case as was being alleged by the BJP. They also concluded there was no conspiracy involved

However, a lawyer appearing for Gopal Das, the prime accused, recently pointed out flaws in the Crime Branch investigation process.

A report prepared by the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) and submitted to the court in Jharsuguda, where the case is being heard, also pointed out that a towel the minister was sitting on in his car when was shot was now missing, raising questions about the probe.