Odisha Minister Naba Das Murder: Crime Branch ADG Arun Bothra Meets DGP Sunil Bansal

Bhubaneswar: Even as more than three weeks have elapsed since the broad daylight murder of Odisha Minister Naba Das by a policeman, the Crime Branch is yet to ascertain the exact reason behind the mysterious crime.

Amid a raging war of words between opposition parties and ruling BJD over the sensational murder and the ongoing probe, Crime Branch ADG Arun Bothra met DGP Sunil Bansal on Wednesday.

Sources said Bothra met Bansal at the DGP’s camp office in Bhubaneswar to discuss the status of investigation into the Minister’s murder that took place on January 29.

Director (Intelligence) Sanjeeb Panda was also present during meeting. The state police chief was reportedly briefed about the progress made in the case. Some other senior police officials were also stated to have visited the DGP’s camp office.

The meeting of the senior police officers almost coincided with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stated in teh state Assembly that CID-CB has sought the help of FBI through Union Ministry of Home Affairs to find out the motive behind the murder case.

The Chief Minister also said the Crime Branch is seeking the help of the US’ FBI as they have the best expertise in conducting behavioural analysis.

It may be recalled that Naba Das was shot in the chest, allegedly by dismissed ASI Gopal Das near Gandhi Chhak at Brajrajnagar in Jharsuguda district on January 29. He died at a Bhubaneswar hospital hours later.

Notably, a local Court in Jharsuguda on Monday rejected the prayer for further mental health examination of accused Gopal Das, who reportedly suffered from bipolar disorder

While the Crime Branch has stated that the accused cop had a prolonged history of mental illness, it is not backed up by conclusive medical evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Gopal was undergoing bouts of psychiatric disorder.

The state Assembly has been witnessing uproarious scenes since the commencement of the Budget Session on Tuesday with opposition BJP and Congress creating ruckus accusing the government of taking the ongoing investigation into the murder on right track.