Naba Das murder case: Tara says ‘planned’ murder’; Saluja seeks SIT probe, BJP harps on CBI probe

With the Crime Branch yet to unravel the mystery surrounding the murder of Odisha Health Minister Naba Das, Congress and BJP MLAs are leaving no stone unturned to target the ruling BJD-led Odisha government over the issue. The issue of murder of Naba Das was raised during the Zero Hour of the Odisha Assembly on Monday.

Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati brought serious allegations by terming Naba Das killing as a ‘planned murder.’ According to Tara Prasad Bahinipati, people are not happy with the ongoing investigation by the Crime Branch. So far the ongoing investigation is only limited to finding out whether the accused and dismissed Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gopal Das is mentally unstable or not, he said while demanding Speaker’s ruling for a statement by the Minister of State (MoS) Home.

On the other hand, Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja alleged that even so many days after the brutal murder of Naba Das, the hands of the Crime Branch are empty as there is still mystery whether the killing was due to political or business rivalry.

Saluja further stated there seems to be a dispute between the groups of late minister Naba Das and Bhatli MLA Sushant Singh. Hence, Bhatli MLA should also be brought under the purview of the ongoing investigation and the government should order a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

While raising the Naba Das murder issue, BJP MLA Subhash Panigrahi also demanded a CBI probe.

“Only the Crime Branch investigation is focused on Gopal Das and his mental condition. The probe should be carried out on several aspects. So far the motive behind the murder is unclear. Crime Branch cannot reveal the motive and only CBI can take the matter to its logical conclusion” said Panigrahi.

The former police ASI and prime accused in the Naba Das murder case, Gopal Krushna Das was first appointed as the constable in 1992 and was posted in Berhampur District Police.

Das was subsequently promoted to the rank of ASI in the year 2009 and worked at different police stations and outposts in a period of 13 years,” the Minister of State (MoS) said in Odisha Assembly in response to a question by MLA Kusum Tete.

Moreover, Gopal Das had received 45 awards for his service, including 18 rewards under the category GS Mark, 9 money rewards and 18 commendations.