Odisha health minister shot in the chest by cop

Odisha health and family welfare minister and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naba Das on Sunday sustained serious injuries after an assistant sub inspector (ASI) fired at him from point blank range near a busy square at Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district. The motive behind the attack is still unclear.

Das, 60, was on his way to attend an event at Gandhi Chowk when the incident happened. He was getting out of his car when ASI Gopal Das fired at him from point blank range fatally injuring him on the spot. Sub-divisional police officer Gupteswar Bhoi said bullets hit his chest on the left side.  “We have taken the ASI into custody. He is currently being interrogated… I am not able to tell the exact reason…why the police officer took such a step,” said Bhoi.

The minister collapsed immediately following the attack, while another police officer and a local were also injured in the attack. Das was rushed to a local hospital. Officials said the minister is being airlifted to Bhubaneswar for further treatment.

The three-time MLA was recently in news over reports that he donated a pitcher made of 1.7 kg gold and 5 kg silver worth over ₹1 crore to Shani Singnapur temple in Maharashtra this month on the occasion of Triveni Amavasya, according to Hindustan Times. Das, however, said he had donated ₹10 lakh and offered a pitcher filled with mustard oil.

He is the second richest minister in Naveen Patnaik cabinet after the chief minister. The CM has expressed shock and condemned the attack on Das, adding the Odisha Police’s Crime Branch will probe the incident.

“I am shocked at the unfortunate incident of attack. I strongly condemn this and pray for his early recovery. Crime Branch is directed to take up investigation. Senior officers of Crime Branch are asked to go to the spot,” ANI quoted him saying.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM