Bhubaneswar: Gopal Das, accused of assassinating Odisha Health Minister Naba Das, has confessed to the crime, said Crime Branch ADG Arun Bothra in Jharsuguda.
“We have arrested the accused and he has confessed to the crime. We will produce him in a court and seek permission to take him on remand for further investigation,” Bothra informed Monday.
“We are examining the eyewitnesses. We will try our best to ensure stringent punishment for the guilty. We are taking the help of forensic, ballistic and cyber experts to get the evidence,” Bothra added.
Also Read – Naveen condoles death of minister Naba Das
It may be mentioned here that the accused Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Gopal Das opened fire on minister Naba Das during an event at Brajarajnagar Sunday. The minister succumbed to his injuries while being treated at Apollo Hospital here.
Subsequently, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident.
The accused police ASI has been suspended from service by Jharsuguda SP Rahul Jain Monday.
In a related development, the state government Monday urged the Orissa High Court to allow a sitting/retired HC or district judge to monitor the Crime Branch probe into the incident.
PNN
