Dikhyaa Mohanty 
As the Crime Branch of Odisha police failed to ascertain the motive behind the murder of former minister Naba Kishore Das, the State would seek the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the U.S.A., said to have the best expertise in behavioural analysis, to crack the high profile case.
Following vociferous demands by the Opposition for a fair probe into the murder over the first two days of Budget Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday placed his statement in the House.
“We have requested the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to facilitate an evaluation of the behaviour of the accused by the Behavioral Support Unit of the FBI of U.S.A.,” Mr. Patnaik said.
He reassured the House that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring a full, fair and open investigation into the case with assistance from the best forensic experts in India and abroad.
The Odisha CM provided an elaborate account of the ongoing probe into the case and came down heavily on the opposition for statements that were meant for “politicising the heinous crime”.
Former Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das was killed by Gopal Krushna Das, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police who was subsequently dismissed. He fired at the Minister from a point blank range from his service weapon at Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district on January 29. Naba Kishore Das was airlifted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Crime Branch was subsequently directed to probe the incident. “To ensure transparency in the investigation, my government had requested the Orissa High Court to nominate one sitting or retired judge of the HC to monitor the investigation of this case. The HC nominated Justice J.P. Das (retired) to monitor the investigation of the case,” Mr. Patnaik said.
