New Delhi: Odisha’s Health Minister Naba Das, who was critically injured after being shot in the chest in the Brajarajnagar area of Jharsuguda district, was airlifted to Bhubaneswar on Sunday with an accompanying medical team of specialists and life support equipment. 


The minister has been admitted to Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar. His condition is said to be critical.


News agency ANI reported that Crime Branch Addl DG, Arun Bothra along with the team has proceeded to Brajarajnagar to inquire into the firing of the health minister.


Here are the latest updates-



  • According to sources, a team of the best specialists in the state, drawn from Apollo Hospital, SCB MCH, and Capital Hospital are attending to him.


  • Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the minister at Apollo Hospital and condemned the attack. He said, "I am shocked at the unfortunate incident of attack on honourable minister Shri Naba Das. I strongly condemn the attack on him. I pray for his early recovery." "Crime branch has been directed to take up the investigation of the case. Senior officers of the crime branch have been asked to go to the spot."


  • The incident occurred at Brajrajnagar, Jharsuguda district, as the minister was on his way to a function at Gandhi Chowk. Sources said that assistant sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das allegedly shot at Das as he was getting out of his automobile.


  • Visuals on social media showed the minister with a bullet injury being taken inside a car as he was being rushed to a local hospital. In the video, Das is seen bleeding from the chest as people try to lift him and place him on the front seat of a car.




  • "Assistant Sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das opened fire at the minister, who sustained bullet injuries. The minister was then rushed to a hospital," Brajrajnagar SDPO Gupteswar Bhoi told reporters, as quoted by news agency PTI.


  • Bhoi said that the ASI was being interrogated and more details will be available after a thorough investigation.


  • "At a public grievance office opening, Naba Das was the chief guest. When he arrived, a crowd gathered to welcome him. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard. We saw police personnel running away after shooting from close range, Minister to be airlifted to Bhubaneswar," news agency ANI quoted an eyewitness as saying.


  • In the evening, a seven-member special investigating team, comprising a cyber expert, a ballistic expert, and officers of the Crime Branch, was formed to probe the case. The team will be led by Deputy SP Ramesh Dora.