Odisha Crime Branch ‘chargesheet’ in former minister Naba Das murder triggers political slugfest

Bhubaneswar: A day after final chargesheet in former Odisha minister Naba Das murder appeared in media, Opposition BJD heightened attack on the government stating that it is trying to mislead the investigation as the statements of the deceased’s family members were not given due importance.

This comes close on the heels of a reaction of the party’s Bargarh MP Suresh Kumar Pujari saying the chargesheet was ‘waste paper’.

“The wife and son of Naba Das earlier said it to be a pre-planned murder and we have also been saying the same thing. Odisha Crime Branch has concocted a story through the accused Gopal Das. The probe agency’s theory that Gopal had tonsured his head prior to committing the crime is quite interesting and astonishing. The State government has been trying to get rid of the crime,” Majhi stated.

“However, those who are indirectly involved in the murder case will not succeed in their game plan. The way the Government has been trying to save its face and mislead the investigation will be raised by our party in the upcoming session of Odisha Legislative Assembly,” the Opposition Chief Whip expressed.

Besides, Jeypore Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati echoed similar views and said that the former minister had several enemies and it is a fact. Congress will rake up the issue again in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, Soro BJD MLA Parshuram Dhada rubbished the allegations of the Opposition. ‘It was not at all a pre-planned murder. Investigation into the high-profile crime has brought everything to the fore. The Crime Branch chargesheet not having mention of a motive behind the murder does not necessarily mean that there was no motive behind it.”

“Probe was carried out based on statements made by the family members of Naba Das. Truth has surfaced and everything is crystal clear now,” the legislator asserted.