Naba Das murder case: Jayanarayan seeks protection of Gopal Das by Central forces
By Mahendra Darjee
Jharsuguda, Feb. 2: Jayanarayan Mishra, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Legislative Assembly, on Thursday expressed his apprehension over security of Gopal Das, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) rank officer who shot state health minister Naba Kishore Das on January 29.
Mishra said he was sensing that Das, like some other accused who were found involved in some high profile murder cases, might be killed in police custody or in jail to erase the links of ruling party politicians.
In an interaction with media persons, the LoP said, “All of us know what happened to Gobinda Sahu, the prime accused in the sensational Mamita Meher murder case, inside jail. He died in jail under mysterious circumstances. The prime accused in the Mahanga double murder case, the key accused was found dead on a national highway and the incident was painted as an accident. The two accused were linked to two influential leaders of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) whose names had cropped up in Mamita Meher and Mahanga double murder cases.”
Stating that he was concerned about the security of ASI Gopal Das, the BJP leader said anything can happen to the ASI at any moment.
“I have no faith in the Odisha Police. Hence, adequate central force should be provided for security and there is also provision for this,” said Mishra.
The LoP further said that there was every possibility that Gopal Das’ family may keep mum owing to political interest and other reasons. But it is absolutely in the state’s interest and security that the Odisha government recommends a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“The state government will be entirely responsible if anything happens to the ASI Gopal Das,” warned Mishra.
The Crime Branch is likely to take the accused ASI Gopal Das to the spot for recreating the crime scene. The investigating agency has taken Gopal on a four-day remand.
In the latest development, the Crime Branch on Thursday recovered a dozen handwritten letters thrown into the septic tank of the Jharsuguda airport police station by accused Gopal Krushna Das.
