'CM Naveen should request CBI probe into Gobinda Sahu death case to ensure transparency'

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday demanded CBI inquiry into the death of Gobinda Sahu, the prime accused in the sensational Mamita Meher murder case.

Speaking to the reporters in Bhubaneswar, the BJP leader said, “The people who are entrusted with the law and order should be answerable for their act to the public. The mode of inquiry should be as per the law. That is why we have demanded CBI inquiry into the case.”

“Being said that, the most important issue today is to know how an under-trial prisoner died inside the jail. This has created a lot of doubt in the minds of the people. And for the sake of transparency, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who is also the Home Minister of Odisha, should urge for a CBI inquiry,” Pradhan said.

Meanwhile, a five-member Congress team has submitted a letter to the Governor of Odisha demanding a High Court monitored SIT probe into the Gobinda Sahu death case.

The BJD, however, termed the demand as nothing new. Speaking to reporters, BJD leader Amar Satapathy said, “The party which has gone to the Governor to complaint has no law and order inside the party itself.”

“CBI and Crime Branch are separate investigative agencies and have defined domains to work. Let them work independently and people should not politicise them,” Satapathy said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Odisha BJP general secretary, Prithviraj Harichandan had termed Gobinda Sahu’s death as a witness-wiping drive by the ruling BJD.

Harichandan had alleged, “It seems to be a regular affair for the Ministers of Odisha government to get involved in illegal activities and to wipe out witnesses after getting caught. A fresh example of such a drive is the death of Gobinda Sahu.”

(Reported By Atulya Bout, OTV)