No one should do politics over Crime Branch probe into Naba Das’ murder: BJD

Priya Ranjan Swain Published On : Feb 11, 2023 at 8:42 PM

Bhubaneswar: The Crime Branch probe into the murder of Odisha Health Minister Naba Das is on the right track and no one should do politics over the investigation, said the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today.

“A retired Judge of Orissa High Court is monitoring the Crime Branch probe into the incident. So, no one should do politics in this regard,” said Rajya Sabha Member and BJD national spokesperson Sasmit Patra today.

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The ruling party has asked the Opposition to wait till the completion of Crime Branch probe into the sensitive incident.

“At a time when a retired Judge of Orissa High Court is monitoring the probe, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tries to politicize the investigation. This is not acceptable to us. The Opposition should wait till the completion of the probe,” Patra added.

Earlier in the day, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited slain leader Naba Das’ residence at Jharsuguda and talked to the latter’s son Vishal and daughter Dipali.

BJP MP Suresh Pujari and former Brajarajnagar MLA Radharani Panda were present during Pradhan’s visit to the slain leader’s house.

The Union Minister expressed grief over the incident and prayed for the departed soul.

Notably, BJP leader Pradip Purohit had earlier claimed that the Chief Ministerial ambition of Naba Das cost him his life.

“Naba Das was eliminated for his Chief Ministerial ambition,” he said.

Similarly, Deogarh BJP MLA Subhas Chandra Panigrahi had alleged a political conspiracy behind the murder of Naba Das.

“Naba Das had a big business empire in Western Odisha. He was also an influential leader of the region. It seems that someone hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Naba Das and grab his business empire. The murder has political as well as business angles,” said the BJP legislator.

The Deogarh MLA also alleged the involvement of an influential leader from the costal Odisha behind the murder of Naba Das.

Notably, police ASI Gopal Das had opened fire on Naba Das during an event at Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district of Odisha on January 29. Das succumbed to his injuries while being treated at a private hospital here on the same day.

The state government has ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident while the accused police ASI has been dismissed from service.