Retired HC judge to monitor Crime Branch probe into killing of Odisha minister Naba Kisore Das

Meanwhile, a local court on Wednesday allowed the Crime Branch to take accused assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gopal Das on a four-day remand for further questioning.

On January 29, the ASI, who was posted as in-charge of Gandhi Chowk police outpost and on “traffic clearance duty” during the minister’s visit to Brajrajnagar, had opened fire, aiming at the minister from close range. The minister was first admitted to Jharsuguda district hospital and later airlifted to Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where he succumbed to bullet injuries.

Sources in the investigating agency said they would try to ascertain the motive behind the killing by taking the accused cop in remand.

Forensic experts in the Crime Branch probe team also examined the vehicle used by the slain minister at Badmul police station in Jharsuguda. A bullet also hit the vehicle.

Day after transferring Jharsuguda SP Rahul Jain and Brajrajnagar sub-divisional police officer Gupteswar Bhoi, the Odisha government also suspended the minister’s personal security officer Mitrabhanu Deo on charges of dereliction of duty.