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| Jairam Pangi and Anjali Behera. Telegraph pictures |
Bhubaneswar, June 4: The state government has ordered a crime branch inquiry into the murder of the two brothers of BJD leader N. Bhaskar Rao. An investigating team headed by a crime branch deputy superintendent of police left for Rayagada to inquire into the incident.
The twin murders had taken place on May 1 on the premises of a temple in Rayagada district. Rao’s supporters alleged that Koraput MP Jairam Pangi was involved in the crime. As known in the party circles, Pangi and Rao, who are two prominent leaders of the undivided Koraput district, were not having cordial relations.
“We welcome the investigation process. The investigating agency is the best judge to identify the people involved in the murder. We hope the crime branch inquiry will reveal the truth,” said Bhaskar Rao.
Supporters of Rao, however, alleged that those who were arrested by the police had good relations with Pangi. “The crime branch should expedite the inquiry. Some party workers also believe Pangi’s involvement in the case cannot be ruled out.”
Rao said the BJD leaders would meet chief minister Naveen Patnaik and present him a memorandum on the present state of party affairs in the district. He also hinted at group feud within the party, which has led to the murder of his brothers.
Refuting the allegations, Pangi said he was being falsely implicated in the case. “Some baseless allegations are being labelled against me. Let the police name me in the FIR first. I have faith in the crime branch and their inquiry,” he said.
On June 1, the crime Branch of the state police had taken over the investigation into the murder of Hindol block chairman Nabghana Sahu. He died on May 14 after being hit by a jeep, while his family alleged that it was a planned murder that had taken place at the insistence of women and child development minister Anjali Behera. Minister Behera, however, had denied her involvement and welcomed the crime branch inquiry.