The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been moved seeking assistance of the American agency Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Health Minister Naba Kisore Das’ murder case, informed Minister of State for Home Tusharkanti Behera in the State Assembly on Monday.
Replying to a query by Congress MLA Narasingha Mishra, the Minister stated that as per the guideline on the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in criminal cases, such a request can be made through the MHA. So, the Odisha Government has sought assistance of the FBI. However, the MHA is yet to make a reply in this regard.
Mishra sought details from the State Government as regards its request to the MHA for support of FBI in investigation.
“Is there any information with the State Government about the FBI having either investigated or provided support, guidance to any State police in the country during police investigation into a criminal offence/case in the concerned stated. If so, will the Govt furnish details of cases being investigated by police of different States with support from FBI? If not, how the CM declared in the House to request MHA for support of FBI in investigation of killing of ex-Minister of Health? Will the Govt furnish the letter submitted to the MHA in this regard?” Mishra asked.
In reply, the Minister stated that information about any other State seeking help of the FBI during police investigation into a criminal offence is not available.
“As per information received from CID, CB, Odisha, the Ministry of Home Affairs has shared with all the States a comprehensive guideline for investigation abroad and issue of letters Rogatory (LRs), Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA). The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) is a mechanism whereby countries operate with one another in order to provide and obtain formal assistance in prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime. India has MLA treaties/bilateral agreements with many countries including US,” he informed.
