Justice J.P. Das to monitor Crime Branch probe into Naba Das’ murder
Slain minister’s PSO placed under suspension, police inspector transferred
By Ratikanta Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, Feb. 1: Justice J.P. Das, a retired judge of High Court of Orissa, will probe into the gruesome murder of Odisha health minister and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naba Kishore Das. The name of Justice Das was cleared by the HC on Wednesday following a request by the state home department.
On Monday, the state government had written a letter to the HC praying for judicial probe by a sitting or retired judge into the high-profile murder. Presently, the Crime Branch of state police is probing the murder. Justice Das will monitor the investigation of the CB on a day-to-today basis.
In another development, the state government placed under suspension Naba Kishore Das’ Personal Security Officer (PSO) Mitrabhanu Deo for dereliction of duty. Similarly, Brajarajnagar police station inspector-in-charge (IIC) Pradyumna Kumar Swain and Gandhi Chhak police outpost in-charge sub-inspector (SI) Sashibhusan Podha were transferred.
While Swain was transferred to Sambalpur district police headquarters, Podha was transferred to Sonepur district police headquarters.
On Tuesday, Jharsuguda superintendent of police (SP) Rahul Jain was transferred to the state police headquarters in Cuttack. Similarly, Brajarajnagar sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Gupteswar Bhoi was transferred and attached to the State Police Headquarters.
On Tuesday, the Court of JMFC, Brajarajnagar had allowed the Odisha Crime Branch to take accused Gopal Das, a former ASI of police, on a four-day remand for further questioning.
The minister was allegedly shot in the chest by Gopal Das at Gandhi Chhak in Brajrajnagar area of Jharsuguda district on January 29. The firing took place when the minister alighted from a car to attend an inauguration programme and his supporters were garlanding him.
He was rescued in a critical condition and rushed to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital for treatment. As his condition deteriorated, the minister was then airlifted to Bhubaneswar, where he was admitted to Apollo Hospital.
However, he succumbed to bullet injuries while undergoing treatment at the private hospital.
