Bhubaneswar, Jan 16: Nearly two years after Naba Kishore Das, the then Naveen Patnaik government’s Health Minister, was shot dead by a cop on duty in Jharsuguda district, his daughter and former MLA Dipali Das on Wednesday demanded a CBI probe into her father's death. She urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to consult with her family before proceeding in this connection.

Speaking to media persons, former Jharsuguda MLA and BJD leader, Dipali said, "In the last Assembly session, two BJP legislators raised the issue and a section of the media and social media are questioning why I am not demanding a CBI probe. As a daughter, I am hurt by such allegations. My question to the Mohan Majhi government is, will it conduct a CBI probe? Fingers are being pointed at our family—will the government stand with us?" she asked.

"I appeal to the CM to meet our family, discuss the matter and then take further action," she added.

Dipali, who was elected as an MLA from Jharsuguda in a bypoll following the killing of her father, said her family is facing mental harassment due to such allegations.

However, Dipali remained silent about her reasons for not requesting a CBI investigation earlier. She also avoided questions about her satisfaction with the state Crime Branch investigation and whether she discussed a CBI probe with former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

When the previous Naveen Patnaik government assigned the investigation to the State Crime Branch, the then opposition BJP requested the BJD government for a CBI probe. The BJP alleged that Naba Das’ murder might be linked to ‘political and business rivalries', which the BJD dismissed.

Asked about Dipali’s demand for a CBI probe into the murder of her father, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan today said, "If they (Slain Minister Naba Das's family) are not satisfied with the probe conducted by the Crime Branch during the previous Government, they should write to the Government, and then the Chief Minister will take a call on it. Making statement in media will solve no purpose. There is a certain process which needs to be followed..."

On January 29, 2023, Naba Das, then Health and Family Welfare Minister in BJD government, was gunned down by Gopal Das, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Odisha Police, in broad daylight at Brajrajnagar in Jharsuguda district.

Accused Gopal Das is currently in judicial custody and undergoing trial in this connection.

Dipali lost the Jharsuguda seat to BJP candidate Tankadhar Tripathy in the 2024 Assembly polls.

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