Timeline of Minister Naba Das’ Assassination, Accused Gopal Das' Suspicious Confessions to Case Reopening Move

Amidst the allegations that the real motive behind former Health Minister Naba Das is yet to come out, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan’s statement to a national media regarding reopening the high-profile case has sparked a political war of words.

The Law Minister’s weight behind reopening of several heinous crimes that occurred during the previous BJD government’s tenure has now put the spotlight back on several theories surrounding the old cases.

Why Reopening of Cases Needed?

Several people, including politicians, had been alleging a major conspiracy behind the broad daylight assassination of Naba Das who was a cabinet rank minister in the previous Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government. Allegations flew thick and fast that police never investigated the case from the angle of a conspiracy.

Naba Das Murder Case Timeline

On the fateful day of January 29, 2023, the then Health Minister Naba Das was shot dead by Assistant Sub Inspector Gopal Das from a close range in Jharsuguda. Notably, ASI Gopal Das was deployed at Gandhi chhak in Brajrajnagar for traffic management as Health Minister Naba Das was scheduled to attend a programme nearby.

As soon as Naba Das reached the venue and was getting down from his vehicle, his supporters rushed to welcome him. Gopal Das too went closer and before anyone could understand anything, he opened fire at the Minister.

Naba Das, who was severely injured in the attack, was immediately rushed to Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) and then he was airlifted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar where he succumbed to his injuries.

What Charge Sheet Highlighted?

The preliminary charge sheet filed by the Crime Branch highlighted that the prime accused Gopal Das killed Naba Das over personal grudge. The charge sheet revealed that Gopal Das was under the impression that Minister Naba and his supporters would eliminate him because he had dared to stop some vehicles belonging to the minister.

Other Facts Highlighted In Charge Sheet

Accused Gopal admitted that he was preparing to kill minister Naba Das since long. He had also visited Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur with his brother and observed his mundane and took oath to kill Naba Das in near future.

The charge sheet also highlighted that Gopal had made efforts to shoot the BJD Minister during the inauguration of the statue of late Kishore Mohanty in the Brajrajnagar area, but could not get an opportunity to execute his plan.

Gopal Das Had No Bipolar Disorder

The Crime Branch denied that Gopal Das is suffering from Bipolar Disorder, which was claimed earlier. Medical examination by a special Medical Board constituted by the DMET, Government of Odisha, ascertained that his mental condition is quite normal and there was no abnormality.

On May 26, the Odisha Crime Branch submitted a 543-page charge sheet in the court of JMFC, Jharsuguda against accused Das.

Polygraph Test of Dismissed Accused ASI Gopal Das

In July, the dismissed Assistant Sub-Inspector Gopal Das was subjected to a polygraph test. The test revealed that Gopal Das killed Naba Das as he feared a threat to his life from the latter. It was then claimed that the accused Gopal Das revealed key information pertaining to the sensational murder of the then health minister.

Accused Gopal Das Mentioned As First Witness

On August 9, 2023, senior advocate Satya Bohidar highlighted a new fact that was mentioned in the charge-sheet. According to advocate Bohidar, the Crime Branch in its charge-sheet mentioned deceased Naba Das as the first witness. He further asked if the police couldn’t record Das’ dying declaration before his death, how he can be made the first witness.

In September 2023, the Jharsuguda Additional District and Sessions Court framed charges against the dismissed ASI and accused, Gopal Das who is currently lodged at Chouwdwar jail in Cuttack.