Crime Branch summons Naba Das’s children amid calls for CBI probe

Bhubaneswar, March 1: The Odisha Crime Branch has issued notices to Dipali Das and Bishal Das, the daughter and son of slain BJD leader and former minister Naba Das, asking them to appear before the agency in the first week of March. The move comes amid growing demands for a CBI probe, following new revelations from a forensic report.

The Crime Branch has invited Dipali and Bishal to share any concerns they may have regarding the investigation. So far, the agency has not filed a chargesheet in the case, keeping the high-profile murder in focus once again.

Dipali Das recently urged the Mohan Majhi-led government to clarify its stance on a CBI probe into her father’s killing. In response, the state Law Minister, who had earlier suggested reopening the case, advised her to formally request the Chief Minister for an investigation by the central agency.

While the Crime Branch ruled out political or business-related motives in Naba Das’s murder, a lawyer representing prime accused Gopal Das has raised concerns about lapses in the investigation. A forensic report submitted to the Jharsuguda court has also highlighted discrepancies, including the unexplained disappearance of a towel from Naba Das’s car, further fueling suspicions about the probe’s integrity.