Bhubaneswar: Questioning the BJP government in Odisha over its failure to fulfil its poll promise of recommending a CBI inquiry into the murder of her father, former Minister Naba Das, ex-Jharsuguda MLA Dipali Das on Monday demanded a similar probe into the mysterious death of the mother of Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy.

Das said the state government should not confine itself to the Naba Das murder case alone, urging the death of Tripathy’s mother also be recommended for a CBI investigation to ensure transparency and justice. She added such steps would help bring out the truth.

Notably, on January 30, 2021, Kumuduni Tripathy, the elderly widowed mother of BJP leader Tankadhar Tripathy, was found hanging inside her house in the Sankara Reserve area of Sundargarh town. She was reportedly living alone at the time, while her son was staying in Bhubaneswar with his family.

In a press statement issued on Monday, Das said the Naba Das murder case is currently sub judice in a Jharsuguda court and is being reinvestigated by the Crime Branch as per the state government’s decision. She noted she had refrained from making public comments so far to avoid influencing the investigation and judicial process.

Recalling the impact of the incident, Das said her family was devastated by the killing and has since placed its trust in the legal system. “We have been waiting for justice, relying on the Crime Branch investigation, the arrest of the accused, and the ongoing court proceedings,” she said.

Dipali Das further alleged ahead of the Assembly elections, the BJP had promised to recommend a CBI probe into the murder case. After the formation of the government, she, along with her mother and brother, met Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and demanded a CBI investigation. However, the government instead ordered a fresh probe by the Crime Branch.

She questioned why the pre-poll promise of a CBI inquiry has not yet been fulfilled.