On January 29th, 2023, when the state's beloved Health Minister, Naba Das, was gunned down at a public gathering in Brajarajnagar. A year later, his untimely demise still echos through the state, leaving a void that's difficult to fill. Naba Das was a beacon of hope for many in Odisha, particularly in his hometown of Jharsuguda. His loss has left a deep scar on the community, and the lingering questions surrounding his murder continue to haunt the collective memory of the state.
A Fresh Twist:
A recent report from the State Forensic Laboratory (SLF) has revealed the use of multiple firearms in the crime. This revelation has cast a shadow of doubt over the initial narrative, which solely implicated Gopal Das, a dismissed police ASI, as the culprit. The report indicates that while one bullet struck the minister, five others hit an accompanying government vehicle. This raises the unsettling possibility of more shooters being involved..
Defense Lawyer's Claims
Naresh Nayak, the defense lawyer, has seized upon this new information, hinting at the possible involvement of a sniper, given the precise nature of the attack. He further points to the Crime Branch's failure to locate the bullet that fatally wounded the minister, questioning the thoroughness of their investigation. Adding to the intrigue, Nayak claims that Gopal Das, who was in charge of the former Minister's security, fired three blank shots after hearing a loud sound resembling a cracker blast, suggesting that Naba Das might have been shot with a different pistol. He also raises concerns about the missing items from the seizure list submitted to the SLF, including the shirt worn by the Minister and the blood-soaked towel from the car seat.
The Charge-Sheet
Despite these questions, the 543-page preliminary charge-sheet maintains that the dismissed policeman acted alone in planning and executing the murder. It cites personal grudge and anguish against the influential politician as motives behind the crime, ruling out any conspiracy or involvement of any other person.
Naba Das murder case remains shrouded in mystery. The recent forensic report has only deepened the intrigue, raising more questions than answers. Why is this report surfacing now, a year after the incident? Was there a deliberate attempt to suppress this information? These questions loom large, fueling public speculation and demands for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Naba Das's family, including his daughter and former Jharsuguda MLA Deepali Das, has been vocal in their pursuit of justice. They have alleged that the former cop was merely a pawn in a larger game, echoing the concerns raised by the defense lawyer. Their call for a CBI probe into the case highlights public's lack of trust in the current investigation to uncover the truth. The Naba Das murder case is a reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of truth.
