BJP leader makes sensational allegation, says influential coastal Odisha leader behind murder of minister Naba Das

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 6: In a sensational allegation, the Odisha state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said a senior leader of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had links with the January 29 gruesome murder of health minister Naba Kishore Das.

The party, however, refrained from disclosing the name of the politician.

“People are talking about the role of an influential political leader of coastal Odisha in the ghastly murder of minister Naba Kishore Das. The minister ran a huge business empire. He was also a strong political leader in western Odisha. We suspect the role of a coastal Odisha leader behind his killing,” said senior BJP leader Subash Panigrahi.

Panigrahi, who represents Deogarh constituency in Odisha Legislative Assembly, said he suspected that the coastal Odisha politician got Naba eliminated by Gopal Das, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) rank police officer, ostensibly with an intention to take control over the victim’s business empire.

“Political conspiracy in the minister’s murder can’t be ruled out. Why I am saying this is that there are some mines’ owners who are in politics. And they are infusing huge volumes of mining money into politics,” the BJP leader said, adding fuel to the raging politics in the state over the sensational killing.

Das was killed by ASI Gopal Das on January 29 afternoon. The accused is currently in Crime Branch custody. His interrogation still continues to establish the motive behind the crime and if there is any conspiracy angle.

The minister was fired from a point blank range allegedly by Gopal while alighting from his vehicle at Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda to inaugurate an office building.

Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja, who has been very vocal against the BJD since the murder took place, on Saturday appeared more offensive as he alleged that Naba Das’ enemy was in his party.

“There is a conspiracy behind Naba Das’ murder. There may also be a political rivalry angle. There may be coal business angles. Or his enemy may be in his party. This is why we had demanded an SIT (Special Investigation Team) probe under the supervision of the High Court of Orissa. But the state government announced a Crime Branch inquiry. It would yield no result,” observed Saluja.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Sarat Pattanayak targeted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the case and said, “The people of the state are still in dark as to why Naba Das was killed. Whether it was political, business or personal enmity? The CM must speak up as he holds the home portfolio or else resign.”

Reacting to the allegations, BJD MLA Byomkesh Ray said, “The Crime Branch investigation is underway. The people of Odisha are waiting eagerly to know why Naba Das was murdered and the CB will put an end to it.”

In another development, the Layered Voice Analysis (LVA ) and Forensic Psychological Assessment of prime accused ASI Gopal Das was conducted on Monday. Director of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Asha Srivastava conducted the tests. With the tests, the CB is trying to find out the veracity of Gopal Das’ statement.

An expert team from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) will examine the mental state of Gopal Das and submit a report to the CB.