Naba Das murder: Odisha DGP reveals reason of probe even after accused’s confession

Bhubaneswar: Odisha DGP Sunil Bansal at a press conference here today revealed as to why investigation in Minister Naba Das murder case was underway even after the accused confessed to the crime during interrogation.

The top cop said the probe was underway to examine all possible angles of the crime. Only confession is not enough for the accused’s conviction, he said.

“If we go by the accused’s confession, we can file chargesheet against him right away. However, further investigation is going on to rule out any angle which we may not be seeing right now. As per Supreme Court guidelines, mere confession is generally not sufficient for conviction,” the DGP said.

Commenting on the possible motive of the crime, Bansal said, “Motive is something that is hidden in the mind of a person and there’s no machine which can read the mind of a person. To determine the motive, we have to take into account all circumstances during investigation.”

Answering a question of mediapersons regarding the alleged bipolar disorder of the accused, the DGP said, “It’s important to ascertain that if he had bipolar disorder, did it contribute to the crime? I am not competent to answer whether he was suffering from bipolar disorder or not. An expert can answer as to what extent it contributed to the crime.”

Briefing about the progress of the ongoing probe, the police official said, “Some facts have come to fore. It will take some time to reach at a conclusion. We have sought help of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). A team of the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) is already at the spot. A CFSL team may arrive soon for further assistance.”

“The Central Government has assured us for every possible help in the investigation process. The seized objects, including the handwritten notes, will undergo forensic examination. It will be premature to comment on that before the examination,” the DGP said.

“The role of the PSO of the slain minister is also being looked into. He has been suspended. If dereliction of duty on his part is found, necessary action will be taken against him. We are taking steps to ensure that such incidents don’t take place again,” Bansal added.

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Notably, the minister was allegedly shot in chest by Gopal Das, a former ASI of police, 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.