Pradhan alleges lawlessness in Odisha, cites minister’s murder, other cases

Das, 60, breathed his last on January 29 evening, hours after he was shot by the policeman at Gandhi Chhak in Brajrajnagar area of Jharsuguda district, where he had gone to attend an event.

“No one has a clue as to why an on-duty police officer shot dead a powerful minister from a point-blank range with a gun provided by the government. The DGP’s “Jagannath Bharasa” (hope in Jagannath) comment, a week after the incident, shows the law-and-order situation of the state,” Pradhan told reporters.

Pradhan was referring to Odisha director general of police (DGP) Sunil Kumar Bansal’s recent remarks that “no one, barring Lord Jagannath, could anticipate an incident such as killing of the minister”.

Pradhan, who is the face of BJP in Odisha, said there is no clarity on the role of the retired high court judge who has been assigned to monitor the investigation.

“The retired judge has not been appointed in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act, instead the state government had requested the registrar of Orissa high court following which the judge (Justice JP Das) was given the responsibility,” the union minister said.

Raising the issue of allegations of rape against BJD’s Tirtol MLA Bijay Shankar Das by a woman with whom he was allegedly in a relationship, Pradhan said the Orissa High Court had to intervene for the police to register a case.

He also hit out at the BJD government over the attack on a sub-collector and his driver allegedly by sand mafias.

“All these incidents prove that law enforcement agencies are not doing their basic duties. And who are the victims here—a cabinet minister and a sub-collector. It would be good if we don’t talk about the general public suffering from the law and order situation,” he said.

Pradhan also asked where a peace-loving state like Odisha is heading and said people are curious to know who is running the show in the government.

Denying the union minister’s allegations, BJD national spokesperson Sasmit Patra said Pradhan talking about law and order situation in Odisha is “hilarious” and argued that there are more sensational cases in the BJP-ruled states.

“BJP’s only intention is to politicise every criminal case. The Odisha government is transparent and has appointed a retired high court judge to monitor the (Crime Branch) probe in the (minister’s murder) case . What’s there to hide for us?” Patra told reporters in New Delhi. The BJD spokesperson said the union minister should have faith in the judiciary and should wait until the court delivers justice.