Odisha Minister's death: Mortal remains brought home; accused cop had bipolar disorder

The mortal remains of slain Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das were brought to his residence in the wee hours of Monday.

The government has declared that state honour would be accorded to Naba Kishore Das.

The state has also called off all official entertainment for three days from January 29-31.

The 60-year-old minister was shot dead at Brajrajnagar town around 1 pm by Assistant Sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das.

A team of doctors at Apollo Hospital operated on him after he was airlifted from Jharsugada to Bhubaneshwar, but he eventually succumbed to injuries.

The police official who allegedly shot the minister, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) Gopalkrushna Das, was reportedly being treated for bipolar disorder by a psychiatrist.

However, despite his history of mental illness, the official was issued a service revolver and appointed in-charge of a police post at Brajrajnagar where he shot dead Das.

MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Psychiatry department head Dr Chandra Sekhar Tripathy told reporters that the accused was suffering from bipolar disorder and had sought treatment over 10 years ago.

The official's wife Jayanti also confirmed that her husband used to take medicine for the psychological disorder.

The police officer was issued a licensed pistol after he was made in-charge of a police outpost at Gandhi Chhak of Brajrajnagar area, said Jharsugda SDPO Gupteswar Bhoi.

Official sources said that Das was Sunday deployed for law and order arrangement for minister Naba Das's visit.

Before opening fire at the minister, Das had kept his motorcycle nearly 50 metres away from the spot were he attacked Das.

He allegedly opened fire while the minister alighted from a car to attend a local programme and his supporters were garlanding him. 

Though he fired two rouds targeting the minister, only one of hit the target. Immediately after the incident, Das attempted to flee from the spot by firing at the air, but was captured, police said.

He was was immediately overpowered and detained for questioning, SDPO Bhoi said.

A seven member special Investigating team comprising Cyber Expert, Ballistic Expert and officers of Crime Branch has been formed to investigate the death of the minister. 

The CID Crime Branch has registered a case under section 307 IPC read with 27 Arms Act.