Naba Das assassination: Police ASI fired at minister with clear intention to kill him, reads FIR

With mystery still surrounding the exact motive behind the assassination of Odisha health minister Naba Das, the FIR lodged by Inspector-In-Charge (IIC) of Brajarajnagar police station clearly states that the accused Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gopal Krushna Das had fired at the minister ‘with a clear intention to kill.’

As per the FIR lodged by Pradyumna Swain, the IIC of Brajarajnagar Police station, “Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das was scheduled to inaugurate the Office of Chairperson/Vice Chairperson of Brajrajnagar in the Lift and Shift Building at Gandhi Chowk on Sunday (January 29, 2023).

How Assassination Happened?

Minister Naba Das’ car stopped near the venue at around 12:15 pm. Soon after Naba Das got down of the vehicle after opening the front side passenger door, the ASI Gopal Krushna Das, who was deployed for traffic clearance, came close and opened fire from his service pistol from a very close range aiming at the minister with a clear intention to kill him.

The bullets hit on the chest of the Minister and he fell down, reads the FIR.

What Happened Next

The Brajarajnagar IIC, who is the complainant in the case, along with constable KC Pradhan of Rampur Police Outpost caught hold of the assailant. However, the accused ASI Gopal Krushna Das fired two more rounds of bullets from his 9 mm pistol during the tussle.

The IIC also sustained some injury on his finger in the second round of firing by the accused. Another man, identified as Jibanlal Nayak of Kalinagar, also received injury. After some struggle, the IIC along with Constable KC Pradhan overpowered the assailant ASI and disarmed him.

(Reported by OdishaTV Bureau)