Bhubaneswar, January 16: Odisha Congress has extended its support to Deepali Das, the daughter of late former Odisha Minister Naba Das, in her call for a CBI investigation into her father’s murder. The demand was made by Deepali Das two days ago.
Senior Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja on Thursday reiterated that the party had consistently pushed for a CBI inquiry since the incident took place.
Saluja said that during the tenure of the previous BJD government, when a judicial inquiry was initiated into the case, Congress had also called for a CBI investigation. He pointed out that two years later, both Deepali Das and her brother have now echoed the same demand. He also urged the current BJP government, which had supported a CBI probe when in opposition, to now take the necessary steps to transfer the case to the CBI.
Naba Das, who served as the Health and Family Welfare Minister in Odisha, was tragically shot on January 29, 2023, by Odisha Police ASI Gopal Das at close range in Brajrajnagar, Jharsuguda district. He succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment in the capital. Gopal Das was arrested on January 30 by the Odisha Police, and the chargesheet revealed that the accused fired at the minister’s chest from point-blank range. Gopal Das faces charges under Sections 307, 302, and 27(1) of the Arms Act.
Naba Das was a three-time MLA representing the Jharsuguda constituency of Odisha.
