BHUBANESHWAR: Nearly two years since former Odisha health minister Naba Das’ assassination, BJP and BJD on Sunday were involved in a verbal spat over the murder investigation with a member of the governing party — BJP — alleging that a person who wanted to succeed Naveen Patnaik as Odisha CM played a key role in Naba’s murder, a charge denied by the opposition.
Without naming the person, Bargarh BJP MP Pradeep Purohit said, “He is the main conspirator. The state crime branch investigation shielded the conspirator. Gopal Das (an Odisha police officer accused in the case), is just a pawn.”
Senior BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra also saw BJD role in Naba’s murder along with the involvement of an IAS and an IPS officer. “An IAS and an IPS officer, along with two BJD politicians, plotted Naba’s murder. The IPS officer visited Jharsuguda a few days ahead of Naba’s murder. Coal business and political dealings led to the murder. A CBI investigation can unravel the mystery,” Mishra said.
On Jan 29, 2023, Naba, who was then health minister in BJD govt, was gunned down by assistant sub-inspector Gopal Das in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district.
Purohit also questioned the delayed demand for a CBI probe by Naba’s family, suggesting they remained quiet to safeguard its political and business interests.
BJD rubbished allegations, defending the crime branch investigation. “The investigation into the cabinet minister’s killing was on the right track. The main and lone accused Gopal Das was arrested the same day. Chargesheet has already been filed and trial commenced. If the BJP govt wants, they are welcome to transfer the case to CBI,” senior BJD neta Bhupinder Singh said.
