Odisha Health Minister Murder: Accused Policeman Arrested, Dismissed From Service

Gopal Krushna Das, the assistant sub-inspector of police who shot dead the Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister on Sunday, was arrested and dismissed on Monday.

Mortal remains of Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das

Source : PTI

The Odisha Police dismissed assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gopal Das on Monday after detaining him the day before for allegedly gunning down minister Naba Kishore Das in Brajarajnagar, news agency PTI reported.

According to ADG (Crime Branch) Arun Bothra, the assistant sub-inspector was detained after his "confession" during the initial interrogation, the report said. 

"The accused ASI admitted to the crime. We will remand him for further questioning to determine the motivation," Bothra was quoted as saying. 

According to the report, he also rejected claims that the ASI had previously served as the dead leader's personal security officer.

SP Jharsuguda District According to officials, Rahul Jain fired the officer. He was assigned to the Brajarajnagar police station's Gandhi Chhak Outpost, the report added. 

Meanwhile, the crime branch stated in a statement that the case filed against ASI Das under Section 307 of the IPC and Section 27(1) of the Arms Act has been converted, and he is now charged under Section 302 of the IPC (punishment for murder), as stated in the report. 

During the inquiry, the crime branch team confiscated one 9 mm weapon (service revolver), three rounds of live ammo, and a mobile handset from the accused's possession, according to officials, the report added further.

They also stated that the deceased BJD leader's viscera samples had been stored for further chemical investigation, according to the report. 

The minister, 60, died on Sunday evening, hours after being shot by a police officer in Brajarajnagar, where he had gone to attend an event.

The ASI is thought to be suffering from a mental illness.

(With Inputs From PTI)