Cop who fired at Odisha Minister was treated for bipolar disorder
Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) Gopalkrushna Das, who allegedly shot dead Odisha’s health Minister Naba Kishore Das here, was being treated for bipolar disorder by a psychiatrist.
Despite the history of mental disorder, Das was somehow issued a service revolver and appointed in-charge of a police post at Brajrajnagar where he shot dead Das.
MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Psychiatry department head Dr Chandra Sekhar Tripathy told reporters that Das was suffering from bipolar disorder.
“Das had first visited my clinic about eight to ten years ago. He used to get angry very easily and was undergoing treatment for this,” Dr Tripathy said.
“I am not sure whether he was taking medicines regularly. If medicine are not taken regularly, the disease reappears. It has been a year since he visited me last,” th doctor said.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that ranged from hyper-mania to depression, according to experts. However, the disease can be controlled by treatment including counselling.
Das was a resident of Jaleswarkhandi village of Ganjam district. He started his career in police as a constable in Berhampur and was later transferred to Jharsuguda district 12 years ago.