Naba Das murder case: Crime Branch quizzes youth who ‘snatched’ former IIC’s gun on the day of incident

The Crime Branch has intensified its investigation into the murder case of former minister Naba Das, conducting an extensive probe from the Jharsuguda Airport to the Medical College.

Today, a Crime Branch team reached Brajarajnagar police station and carried out a thorough investigation. As part of the probe, the team is interrogating a youth named Saroj Sa, who was present at the crime scene on the day when the former Odisha Minister Naba Das was shot dead.

Saroj had retrieved the gun of the then IIC (Inspector-in-Charge) after the shooting incident. The Crime Branch is questioning him regarding this crucial detail to gather more insights into the case.

“I garlanded Naba Das. I saw Gopal Das blank firing and later he (Gopal) said surrender, surrender. We immediately rushed to overpower him. When I reached close to Gopal, I found gun holsters of the then IIC was open. Apprehending someone might snatch the firearm and attack on Naba Das again, I took away the firearm. I had no intention to attack anyone,” Saroj Sa said.

“The man, who garlanded the erstwhile minister (Naba Das) on the intervening day, is the witness and his statement was recorded,” Crime Branch Additional SP Bijay Mallick said.

Also Read: Naba Das murder: Family submits request for CBI probe; CM says real culprit will be punished

Key Witness Statements Recorded

On Friday, a two-member Crime Branch team recorded the statement of radiographer Sasmita Bag at Sadar Medical College under Section 161 of CrPC.

Similarly, statements of three officials, including the Director of Jharsuguda Airport, were recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Crime Branch continues to piece together crucial evidence in this high-profile murder case.

On March 19, the family of late BJD leader and former minister Naba Das met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into his murder case.

“Real culprits will be arrested and stern punishment will be meted out; all aspects of the case will be examined again,” CM Majhi asserted after meeting the family members.