The Orissa High Court on Thursday quashed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe into the gruesome murder of Minister Naba Das by a policeman in Jharsuguda district on January 29.
While an investigation by the State Crime Branch is underway into the high-profile murder case, the Bharatiya Vikash Parishad (BVP) had filed a petition seeking a CBI probe into it.
Taking up the petition for hearing, the court today said it will be ‘too early’ to hand over the case to the central probing agency.
Notably, the BVP had filed the PIL on February 6 and the State Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, CBI and the Crime Branch were made respondents to the case.
At present, the Crime Branch investigation into the gruesome killing of the minister by sacked ASI Gopal Das is being monitored by retired Orissa High Court judge Justice JP Das.
Even though 12 days have passed, the probing agency is yet to make any headway into the case.
Meanwhile, the investigating agency has taken Gopal to Gandhinagar in Gujarat for his narco-analysis test during his third phase remand. During this five-day-long remand period, the investigating agency is trying to find out Gopal’s motive behind the murder. The court allowed the CB to conduct narco-analysis test and polygraph test following Gopal’s consent.
The Opposition BJP and Congress party have been targeting the ruling BJD government and holding it responsible for the murder of Das.
While BJP has been demanding a CBI probe into the matter, Congress is demanding an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
It is worthwhile to mention here that, Das was allegedly shot by ASI Gopal Das near Gandhi Chhak at Brajrajnagar in Jharsuguda district on January 29. Das, who sustained serious injuries in the attack, was first rushed to Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital and then he was airlifted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar where he succumbed to his injuries.
(Reported by Goutam Panda, OTV)