BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra targets ex-Crime Branch IG Arun Bothra over Naba Das murder case probe

The controversy surrounding the murder of former Odisha Health Minister Naba Das has taken a fresh turn, with BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra directly targeting former Crime Branch IG and IPS officer Arun Bothra. 

Mishra on Monday alleged that the investigation into the sensitive case was deliberately misdirected to protect influential individuals who were linked to the crime.

Also Read: IPS Arun Bothra’s post on Sushant Singh Rajput's death case sparks debate in Odisha

Speaking to the media, Mishra claimed that had the probe been conducted properly, several high-profile individuals would have been exposed, leading to serious consequences for them. He further alleged that to safeguard these individuals, the investigation was intentionally manipulated, and the real culprits were never brought to justice.

“There are many influential people who do not want to ensure a proper investigation as their heads will roll if a proper probe in Naba Das murder case is conducted,” said Mishra.

Accusations Against Arun Bothra:

The BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra went on to criticize IPS Arun Bothra’s handling of the case, accusing him of sensationalizing the investigation rather than conducting a genuine probe. According to Mishra, Bothra engaged in ‘drama’ to divert attention from the real conspirators behind the crime.

Raising serious questions about the evidence presented during the investigation, Mishra questioned a crucial claim made by Bothra. Referring to an incident where a key piece of evidence—a letter—was allegedly flushed down a toilet, the BJP leader asked, "If a piece of paper is flushed, how can any part of it still be retrieved?". This, he argued, indicated potential inconsistencies in the Crime Branch’s findings.

“The statement, made then by Arun Bothra of retrieving a letter after it was flushed in bathroom, was a pure drama and there is no value to it. Can a paper still remain intact after three days? I am still demanding a CBI probe into the case,” Mishra added.

Demand for CBI Investigation

In light of these allegations, Mishra has demanded that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He asserted that only an independent and impartial probe by a national agency could uncover the true motive behind the murder and expose those who might have been shielded by the state’s investigation team.

This is not the first time that the Odisha Crime Branch’s probe into the Naba Das murder case has come under scrutiny. The BJD government had earlier claimed that ASI Gopal Das, who shot the minister, was mentally unstable, a theory that was met with scepticism by the Opposition. The BJP has maintained that the assassination was politically motivated and involved a larger conspiracy.

No Response from Arun Bothra Yet

Despite these serious allegations, Arun Bothra is yet to respond to Mishra’s statements.