Bhubaneswar: Nearly six months after the daylight murder of former Odisha health and family welfare minister Naba Kishore Das, the state Crime Branch filed a chargesheet that revealed that accused Gopal Das had taken a vow at Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur district to kill the politician.
According to the chargesheet, when Gopal was posted at Badmal Police Station, he had stopped the convoy of Naba Das during a routine motor vehicle check. The minister allegedly was furious at the ASI over his action. Besides, his supporters also allegedly threatened him.
According to the chargesheet, Gopal had developed a sense of fear that the minister or his supporters would eliminate him as he had stopped their vehicle.
Later, during another incident, Gopal handed over his nephew’s application to the minister in a public function but Naba Das’ response was full of annoyance, the chargesheet stated.
During the interrogation, Gopal also stated that the minister’s staff mistreated him and avoided interaction. This cemented his belief that the minister held a grudge against him and there was a threat to his life.
The chargesheet further informed that Gopal became increasingly insecure and was out of sleep in anticipation of being killed by Naba or his followers.
The chargesheet stated that Gopal made attempts to shoot the minister during the inauguration of late Kishore Mohanty’s statue in Brajarajnagar but failed to get a chance. He subsequently kept his service pistol loaded.
Later, Gopal Das assassinated the minister January 29 at Gandhi Chhak in Brajarajnagar of Jharsuguda district when he found an opportunity to do so.
PNN
