Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) Gopalkrushna Das, who shot dead Odisha’s health Minister Naba Kishore Das from point-blank range, was undergoing treatment for a mental disorder.

However, despite his mental illness Das was issued a pistol and appointed in-charge of a police post at Brajrajnagar where he opened fire at the minister from close range.

MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Psychiatry department head Dr Chandra Sekhar Tripathy told journalists that Das was suffering from a bipolar disorder which triggers sudden bouts of anger.

“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 medicines are not taken regularly, the disease reappears. It has been a year since he visited me last,” the doctor said.

Das’s wife Jayanti also confirmed that her husband used to take medicine for the mental disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that leads to extreme mood swings ranging from hyper-mania to depression and needs regular medicine to be kept in check.

The mortal remains of Health Minister Naba Das who succumbed to his bullet injuries in a Bhubaneswar hospital were brought to his official residence in the early hours on Monday morning.

According to an official statement from the Odisha government, the national flag will fly at half-mast on the day of death and on the day of the funeral.

A team of doctors led by Dr Debashish Nayak had immediately operated on the minister. During the operation, it was found that a single bullet had entered and exited the body, injuring the heart and left lung and causing massive internal bleeding and injury, officials said.

“This incident occurred at about 12.30 on Sunday afternoon at Gandhi chowk when the minister had gone to inaugurate a public grievance office as the chief guest. When he arrived, the crowd gathered to welcome him. The ASI suddenly opened fire and tried to run away but was overpowered at the spot.

The minister was airlifted to Bhubaneswar for treatment.

Meanwhile, officials said the crime Branch of Odisha Police has taken over the case.  A seven-member special investigating team comprising a cyber expert, ballistic expert and officers of the Crime Branch has been formed to investigate the case. .