Naba Das’ cook death case: Key witness grievously injured in road mishap in Odisha

Manu Prasad, a prime witness in the ongoing probe of former Odisha minister Naba Das’ cook death case, sustained severe injuries following a road accident with a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Jharsuguda, on Saturday.

The victim man, who was riding a motorcycle, collided head-on in the morning. The incident occurred in proximity to the municipality office in Belpahar locality of the district, casting uncertainty over the circumstances leading to the fatal mishap.

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The man is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries. Police are yet to disclose further details regarding the incident as a detailed probe is underway.

Details about the ongoing probe

Worth mentioning, Jharsuguda Police reopened a probe on February 21 into the suspicious death of Lalit Sahu, the cook of former minister Naba Das, after a renewed petition was filed for justice from Sahu's father, Belalsen Sahu. The case files were revisited, and fresh inquiries were initiated.

In a significant development, the probe team quizzed Hemasagar Naik, the former minister’s security personnel, for around six hours at Jharsuguda Police Station. Despite the lengthy questioning, Naik reportedly provided no clear answers regarding the incident, leading to suspicions of inconsistencies in his accounts.

Police had indicated that based on these inconsistencies, further interrogations will follow. This progression came in response to Belalsen Sahu’s formal demand for a comprehensive probe into his son’s death, seeking justice for Lalit Sahu.
The deceased’s father had requested Jharsuguda Police in writing to reopen the case.

Security personnel told the probe officer

“Jharsuguda PS IIC Ranjan Bariha questioned me on Lalit Sahu’s death by ‘suicide’. He asked me who was present on the intervening day. He also asked when Lalit had committed suicide. I told him that it was around 6 O’Clock,” Hemasagar Naik had said to OTV.

“Whatever I remembered, I told him accordingly. I have no idea as to how he (Lalit) died. I am a staff working there (Naba Das family’s house) and he was also a staff. I have been working there for nearly the last three and a half years,” the security staff had stated.

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“One of our fellow staff Bikash had seen Lalit’s body hanging and he had first informed Sanjay Singh. I came to learn about the suicide incident from Sanjay Sir. When police had come to probe, I showed them the spot,” the security staff had added.