Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the State Crime Branch is seeking the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the USA for behavioral analysis of accused in Minister Naba Kisore Das murder case.
The Chief Minister has made a statement in the Odisha Legislative Assembly amid ruckus by the Opposition over the sensitive case. The CM has informed the House about the progress made in the Crime Branch probe and slammed the Opposition for politicking such a sensitive case.
The State Crime Branch is seeking the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America, as they have the best expertise in behavioral analysis in such cases, he said.
“We have requested the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to facilitate an evaluation of the behavior of the accused by the behavioral support unit of the FBI of the USA,” Shri Patnaik said.
On January 29, 2023 around 12:35 pm, Naba Kishore Das, then Health Minister was fired at by an ASI of Police Gopal Das from his service weapon. Despite best efforts, the then minister could not be saved. The accused officer has been immediately dismissed from service and all efforts will be made to bring him to justice, he said.
To ensure transparency in the CB investigation, CM Shri Patnaik said, on request of his Government, the Orissa High Court has nominated one retired judge Justice J.P. Das to monitor the investigation.
The Crime Branch has been asked to do a thorough and scientific investigation to establish the truth in the case. The CB has taken services of the best forensic experts in the country in this case, he said, adding, the State Forensic Science Laboratory, the Central Forensic Science Laboratory at New Delhi and the Gujrat State Forensic Science Laboratory at Gandhi Nagar are assisting the Odisha Crime Branch.
To examine whether the accused is telling the truth or is being deceptive, several tests including psychiatric evaluation, narco-analysis, forensic psychological assessment and layered voice analysis of the accused were conducted, the Chief Minister informed.
He assured the House that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring a full, fair and open investigation in the case with the assistance of the best forensic experts in India and abroad.
The Chief Minister strongly criticised the Opposition especially the BJP for politicising the sensitive case.
“In the aftermath of this terrible incident, the manner in which this very sensitive case is being politicized has shocked me as well as the people of Odisha. It is disturbing to see the baseless and malicious allegations that are being made,” he said.
Stating that the whole police investigation will be subjected to judicial scrutiny, the CM questioned what is the need to do politics in the case and make baseless and malicious allegations?
Odisha has a tradition of a very mature and high level of political discourse. The level of political discourse in this case is disturbing. Politics on a sensitive crime is not a good sign for our democracy, he further said,
He alleged that the Opposition, especially the state BJP that has no other agenda except politicising heinous crimes and demoralising state’s police force which is the pride of Orissa.
Such unfortunate tragic incidents involving an individual in uniformed service have happened in the past whether, army or central paramilitary forces, but it has never led to defaming of the entire force, he pointed out.
The country always stands by its brave forces. Unfortunately, the state BJP has tried to defame the entire police force of Odisha. The State BJP has insulted the youth of Odisha and people will not forgive them for this, said the Leader of the House.
Digging at the Leader of Opposition Jayanarayan Mishra (without naming him), Shri Patnaik said, “Assaulting a lady police officer on duty by a person holding high constitutional post is deplorable and disgraceful. Odisha has always respected its women and will never forgive this shameful behaviour.”
The Chief Minister said his Government’s only aim will be to bring the perpetrators of such crime to justice and give the strictest punishment. However, Shri Patnaik has not informed the Assembly about the motive behind the murder of the Minister.
“People of Odisha have trusted me with responsibility, time and again, and I continue to uphold their faith without fear or favour,” he told the Odisha Assembly.