The Odisha government once again expressed shock and distress over the death of former health minister Naba Das. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA was shot at in Brajarajnagar in the Jharsuguda district last month and succumbed to the bullet injuries in Bhubaneswar hospital.
"As we assemble in this house, Sri Das and his family members are in our thoughts and prayers. In his death, we have lost a dear colleague and a dynamic leader, who was committed to the development of Odisha, particularly Western Odisha," said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his opening remarks in the state assembly.
Sri Naba Kishore Das, was fired at by an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police, by the name Gopal Das from his Service weapon.
The Naveen Patnaik led BJD government immediately ordered a probe and also requested the High Court to nominate one sitting/retired Judge of HC to monitor the investigation of the case.
"In view of the very sensitive nature of this incident, a Crime Branch investigation was ordered immediately. To ensure transparency in the investigation, my government had requested the Honorable High Court to nominate one sitting/retired Judge of HC to monitor the investigation of this case. The Hon’ble High Court nominated Justice J.P. Das (retired) to monitor the investigation of the case," said the BJD government in its address to the assembly.
The government has been taking all possible steps like Narco-analysis, Forensic Psychological Assessment and Layered Voice Analysis Test to establish the motive behind the killing.
Also, the State Crime Branch is seeking help from the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America, as they have the best expertise in behavioral analysis in such cases, said the Chief Minister.
"We have requested the ministry of home affairs, Government of India to facilitate an evaluation of the behaviour of the accused by the behavioural support unit of the FBI," said Patnaik.
He also hit out at the opposition for "politicising" the death of Naba Das.
"Independent judiciary is one of the strongest pillars of our democracy. After the Hon’ble High Court has appointed a retired High Court Judge to monitor the investigation of the case, the whole police investigation will be subjected to judicial scrutiny. So, what is the need to do politics in the case and make baseless and malicious allegations? We should all respect and have faith in our independent judiciary," said Patnaik in his address.
Hitting out at the state BJP Patnaik said, "These unfortunate tragic incidents involving an individual in uniformed service have happened in the past whether, army or central paramilitary forces, but it has never led to defaming of the entire force. Our country always stands by our brave forces. Unfortunately the state BJP has tried to defame the entire police force of Odisha."