At a time when mystery still shrouds the death of Minister Naba Das, the Minister of State (MoS) Home, Tusharkanti Behera on Monday informed that the dismissed ASI and prime accused Gopal Das had never applied for leave citing his mental health condition.
In a written reply to a question by senior Congress leader, Narasingha Mishra regarding leave and awards to Gopal Das, the MoS said that accused Gopal had never applied for leave citing medical treatment of his psychiatric disorder and he had never submitted any representation for his transfer. However, Gopal Das remained absent from duty unauthorized from period 3.2.2014 to 3.4.2014 and for the period from 1.3.2015 to 27.6.2015.
He had submitted his fitness certificate along with medical treatment papers from MKCG Medical College and Hospital pertaining to his treatment for psychiatric disorder (bipolar affective disorder), the MoS said in a written reply.
Also Read: Bring BJD MLA Sushant Singh under purview of Naba Das murder case probe: Congress
“I had sought an answer regarding leave taken by Gopal Das and reasons cited. In its reply, the government stated that Gopal had never applied for leave for his own treatment, be it mental or any other treatment. On maximum occasions, he took leave citing the health condition of his wife. It shows that Gopal Das is not mentally ill,” said Congress leader, Narasingha Mishra.
According to Mishra, when Gopal’s family revealed before the media that he was mentally unstable, an expert team of SCB examined and stated that his mental condition was stable.
“Despite this, the state government is keen to prove Gopal Das mentally unstable. It indicates that there is some conspiracy in which some highly placed officials or members of the ruling party are involved. This needs to be probed,” Mishra added.
To a question by the Congress leader regarding the awards and number of cases investigated by Gopal Das, the MoS Home stated that the dismissed cop had performed normal duty as well as law and order duty which was assigned to him from time to time by his superiors.
Moreover, his performance on duty in the last 10 years appeared to be satisfactory. Gopal Das investigated 299 cases as an investigating officer (IO) during the last 10 years of his service period, the MoS said in his reply.
(Reported by Harihar Chand)