Odisha govt reopens Naba Das murder case

The BJP government in Odisha has decided to reinvestigate the murder of former health minister and BJD leader Naba Kishore Das. Das was murdered on January 29, 2023, when he was visiting the Jharsuguda district in Odisha. An ASI, Gopal Das, who was looking at the traffic arrangement for Naba Kishore Das, shot him at point blank range. Das died during treatment. The crime branch of the state later filed a charge sheet making Gopal Das a lone accused in the case who feared for his life from the minister and murdered him.

However, the chargesheet was contested by then Opposition BJP and Naba Kishore Das family members. The BJP has been alleging that the previous BJD government mishandled the case to save the real culprits behind the murder. On Tuesday, state law minister Prithiviraj Harichand announced that the state crime branch has decided to reopen the investigation after the demand from Naba Kishore Das family members.

On Wednesday, Naba Kishore Das's wife Minati Das along with her son and daughter met the state chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and requested him to hand over the case to the CBI. Majhi assured the family that the case will be investigated with all fairness.