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The Odisha Health Minister, Naba Kishore Das, was tragically shot and killed by an Assistant Sub-Inspector on Sunday.
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He was airlifted to Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Richest MLA in Odisha Government
Das was a three-time MLA and a prominent leader from Jharsuguda, known for his wealth and love of luxury cars. He was considered the richest member of the state cabinet, with properties valued at ₹34 crore, according to a 2022 property statement.
In his 2021 property declaration, Das declared 145 cars in his name and his wife's name, worth ₹15 crore. He also listed several properties across India, including Delhi, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Jharsuguda, and Rairakhol.
An industrialist and businessman, Das had a successful hotel, mining, and transport business. He was in the news recently for offering prayers and donating close to ₹1 crore at the Shani temple in Shingnapur, Maharashtra. His 2009 election campaign, his first as a Congress candidate, was even graced by Bollywood actors Shakti Kapoor and Ashrani.
Political Career
Das had a long political career, winning his seat as a Congress candidate three times. He was a law graduate and involved in politics from his college days, having been elected as the Students' Union President.
He joined the BJD five years after his re-election in 2014 and was a close confidant of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He was widely praised for his proactive response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cop who committed the shooting was undergoing treatment for a mental illness.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Gopalkrushna Das, who allegedly shot the minister, was reportedly being treated for bipolar disorder and was in-charge of a police post in Brajrajnagar, despite his medical condition.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, which can be treated through counseling and medication.