Naba Das murder: Crime Branch quizzes killer cop's wife, nephew in Berhampur

A team of the Odisha Crime Branch questioned the wife and nephew of sacked ASI Gopal Krushna Das, who was arrested for killing state health minister Naba Kishore Das. 

As per sources, a four-member team of the probe agency has been camping in Berhampur for the past five days and inquiring into various aspects of the high-profile murder. 

The team on Saturday morning reached the residence of the accused in the industrial area and questioned his wife Jayanti Das and nephew. 

Earlier on Friday, the CB team had questioned the conductor and driver of a bus who had been delivering medicines to the accused in Jharsuguda. 

Prior to that, the probe agency had questioned another relative and a friend of the accused in connection with the case. However, the CB seems to have failed to find any vital evidence in the case. 

It is reminded here that health minister Naba Das was shot by Gopal Das from a point blank range at Gandhi Chhak in Brajarajnagar on January 29. Following the attack, he was rushed to Jharsuguda DHH from where he was airlifted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. However, he passed away during the treatment.

Gopal Das produced before Jharsuguda JMFC court, remand extended 

In the latest development to the Naba Das murder case, a Crime Branch team produced dismissed ASI Gopal Das, the prime accused in Health Minister Naba Das murder case, before the JMFC court in Jharsuguda as the four-day-long remand period of Das came to an end on Saturday. 

The court extended accused Das' remand period by four days. 

At the same time, Crime Branch ADG Arun Bothra met Justice JP Das at the latter’s residence in Cuttack. Justice Das, who is monitoring the Crime Branch’s investigation into the Naba Das murder case, and Crime Branch ADG Bothra discussed about the progress of the investigation in the Naba Das murder case.  

In another development relating to the case, another team of the Crime Branch has camped in Ganjam. Meanwhile, the team visited Gopal Das’ house and quizzed the family members as well as neighbours. After finding some documents from his house during the inspection, the team also visited the MKCG Medical College and Hospital branch of the State Bank of India. It is believed that the CB might have some clues regarding financial transactions. 

Meanwhile, a sedan car parked inside the premises of Gandhi Chowk outpost in Brajarajnagar has become the centre of all discussions in the locality. It is said that accused Gopal Das was using the car. The CB has taken the vehicle into the purview of the investigation.

(Reported by Ashok Brahma, Bhagirathi Sahu and Goutam Panda, OTV)