The ASI who killed Odisha minister was a mental patient

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Dr. Chandrashekhar Tripathi, head of the department of psychiatry at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, told reporters that Gopalkrishna Das was suffering from ‘bipolar disorder’.

Jharsuguda: An assistant sub-inspector of police (ASI) Gopalakrishna Das, who allegedly shot dead state health and family welfare minister Naba Kishore Das in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district, had taken treatment from a psychologist for bipolar disorder. . Despite having suffered from mental illness in the past, Gopalkrishna Das was issued a savior’s revolver and was put in charge of a police post in Brajrajnagar. Dr. Chandrashekhar Tripathi, head of the department of psychiatry at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, told reporters that Gopalkrishna Das was suffering from ‘bipolar disorder’.

Tripathi said, “Das first came to my clinic eight to 10 years ago. He used to get angry very quickly and was under treatment.” The doctor said, “I don’t know if he was taking medicines regularly. If the medicines are not taken regularly, the disease may recur. It’s been a year since he came to me.” According to experts, ‘bipolar disorder’ is a condition related to mental health, in which there is a sudden extreme change in the behavior and mood of the patient. Sometimes he is very happy and sometimes very depressed. This disease can be controlled with counseling and other treatments.

Gopalkrishna Das is a resident of Jaleshwarkhandi village in Ganjam district. He started his career in police as a constable in Brahmapur and was later transferred to Jharsuguda district 12 years ago. Jharsuguda’s SDPO (Sub-Divisional Police Officer) Gupteshwar Bhoi said that the licensed pistol was issued to the ASI after he was put in charge of a police post at Gandhi Chowk in Brajrajnagar area. Jayanthi, wife of Gopalkrishna Das, has also confirmed that her husband used to take medicines due to psychosis. Jayanti said, “He lives 400 kilometers away from us, so I cannot tell whether he was taking medicines regularly or not.”

Official sources said that Gopalkrishna Das was deployed to ensure law and order in view of Minister Naba Das’s visit on Sunday. Police said he allegedly opened fire when the minister got down from a car to attend a local function and was garlanded by his supporters. He told that Gopalkrishna Das fired two bullets while targeting the minister, but only one bullet hit the target. Police said soon after the incident, Das tried to flee from the spot by firing in the air, but was caught.

Bhoi said that he has been taken into custody for questioning. He said that it is not yet known why the ASI fired at the minister. Meanwhile, officials said that the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police has taken over the investigation into the murder of the health minister. A senior crime branch official said a seven-member special investigation team comprising cyber experts, ballistics experts and crime branch officers has been formed and the team is headed by Ramesh C Dora, a Deputy Superintendent of Police rank officer. Officials said that the CID crime branch has registered a case under section 307 (read with 27 Arms Act) of the Indian Penal Code.