The fresh FIR filed by the mother of slain BJD MLA from Umerkote Jagabandhu Majhi has given a new twist to the killing and put the sitting legislator Subash Gond in a tight spot.
On Thursday, Gourimani submitted a written complaint to the Umerkote police alleging Gond’s involvement in the murder of her son.
Majhi was killed by unidentified gunmen at Gona village under Raighar police limits on September 24, last year. Earlier investigations had pointed fingers at the Maoists. Police sources said the complaint has been sent to the Crime Branch (CB) which is investigating the case.
Subash Gond was best known as an assistant-cum-close associate of late Majhi. Initially, he had joined Majhi as a driver. His fate changed after Majhi was confined to a wheeler chair with bullet injuries following a near fatal attack in 2004.
Subash dedicated himself to the service of his master and became the faithful assistant-cum-associate of the late MLA. He also stayed at his house. It was his close association with Majhi household that got him the BJD t icket for Umerkote by-election.
The police, after the brutal killing of Majhi, had asserted involvement of Mainpur Division of Maoists. The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, however, soon handed over the high profile murder case to the CB.
On the other hand, a section of the ruling BJD tried to give political colour to the murder by alleging involvement of insiders to achieve vested interests.
With allegation and counter allegation doing the round, Majhi’s family also had on numerous occasions ruled out Maoist hands behind the murder.
However, just before the by-election, the Maoists in an interview admitted that they had killed Majhi.
After the by-election, the then DGP Manmohan Praharaj asserted that the police had identified Majhi’s murderers.
The CB too indicted Maoist leaders of neighbouring Chhattisgharh - Jane Salem and Satyam Ghabede - as the masterminds. The Judicial Magistrate First Class at Umerkote had also issued non-bailable warrants against the duo.
However, the recent outbursts of indignation against Subash by Majhi’s family has again put the ruling BJD in a spot.