[Watch] Mamita Murder: Odisha Cong Criticises Chargesheet For Not Naming Minister, Releases Video Of ‘MoS At Raipur Airport, In T-Shirt, Jeans & Backpack’

Bhubaneswar: Three days after Odisha police filed the chargesheet in the sensational murder of school teacher Mamita Meher last year and two days before the state votes in the first phase of the panchayat polls, the state Congress on Monday once again stepped up the heat on Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra.

The Opposition parties in Odisha have alleged the involvement of Mishra in the murder case that rocked the state last year. But the 2,000-page chargesheet filed by the police has only named prime accused Gobind Sahu and his driver Radhe.

The state Congress on Monday released a video to prove its earlier allegation that Mishra travelled to Raipur in October last year where he met Sahu a day before the latter’s arrest.

Last year, the Opposition had alleged that the Minister met Sahu in Raipur, which Mishra has denied.

In the video, the Minster is seen approaching the boarding gate at Raipur airport. He is alone, is dressed in a T-shirt and jeans with a backpack slung over his shoulders.

The date is October 15, according to the Congress, which said Mishra returned to Raipur on October 18 and met Sahu, who was arrested a day later. The Congress asked whether this was a coincidence or planned and demanded an explanation from the Minister.

The Congress claimed that the Minister had flown to Raipur on October 15 last year, from where he left for Delhi. From Delhi, he flew to Chandigarh, it said. The Congress claimed on October 18 last year, Mishra flew back to Delhi and then to Raipur, where he met Sahu.

Giving details of his flights, the Congress claimed that on October 15 last year, Mishra flew from Raipur to Delhi on an IndiGo flight (2409). Same day, he left Delhi at 3.50 pm on another IndiGo flight ((2313) for Chandigarh, where he arrived at 4.45 pm, the party claimed.

The party alleged that on October 18 last year, the Minister departed Chandigarh airport on a Vistara flight (UK 707) at 3.25 pm for Delhi. From Delhi, he departed at 6.45 pm by an IndiGo flight (2375) for Raipur, where he arrived at 8.35 pm, the party claimed.

While alleging his presence in Raipur, the state Congress also attacked his dress. Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra said that he was no ordinary passenger but a Cabinet Minister of Odisha. The party sought to know whether Mishra had informed the state government about his trip, whether the Chandigarh administration was informed and why he was in casual clothes.

“Only two people are named in the Mamita Meher chargesheet. The Minister, the main conspirator, has not been named in the chargesheet. We had earlier alleged that the Minister visited Raipur, which he had denied. Today, we have given proof of that,” he said.

Alleging that the state police was trying to cover up the case and protect the Minister, the Congress alleged that Mamita’s murder could not have happened without the involvement of powerful people. The party has alleged that Mishra was the main conspirator in the murder case.

The Congress also attacked state government authorities, especially the information commissioner, the Collector and DG, for not furnishing to the party details of the movements of Mishra in October last year. Only his tour details for October 8, 9, 10, 11 last year were furnished, the party said.