Family members of slain BJD leader meet Odisha CM, demand CBI probe
By Nalini Sahu
Bhubaneswar, March 19: Family members of Naba Kishore Das, a senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and serving health minister who was killed in January 2023, met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday evening at the state secretariat and demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the incident.
State Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania and Crime Branch DG Vinaytosh Mishra were present during the discussion with the CM. Naba Das’ wife, Minati Das, daughter, Dipali Das, and son, Vishal Das, held the discussion, which lasted for nearly 90 minutes.
“We submitted a letter to CM Mohan Charan Majhi, requesting him to order a CBI probe into our father’s murder. The CM assured us that the ongoing Crime Branch investigation will be conducted properly. Regarding our demand for a CBI probe, he said he would examine it and inform us of his decision,” Dipali told waiting reporters after emerging from the meeting.
Naba Kishore Das, more commonly known as Naba Das, was shot dead on January 29, 2023, as he alighted from his vehicle at Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district to attend a statue unveiling programme.
Gopal Das, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police, was immediately taken into custody for allegedly firing shots from his service revolver over a past enmity.
The then BJD government, headed by Naveen Patnaik, had ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident. Though the family members initially expressed satisfaction with the Crime Branch probe, they have recently grown suspicious about its outcome. A few days ago, Naba Das’ daughter Dipali said her family has doubts about the Crime Branch probe’s findings. She expressed frustration over the Crime Branch’s failure to adequately establish the motive behind the crime and explore the conspiracy angle.
After Naba Das’ death, when he was representing the Jharsuguda seat in the Assembly, Dipali was elected to the House in the bypolls. However, she lost the elections held in 2024.
