Odisha Health Minister Naba Kisore Das was critically injured on Sunday when an assistant sub-inspector of police Gopal Das fired at him from point-blank range in the western Odisha town of Brajarajnagar.

Naba Kisore Das was getting out of his car to attend a program when the shooting occurred.

A local police officer said the bullets hit Naba Kisore Das in the chest on the left side.

The gunfire also injured another police officer who was nearby.

The reason for the shooting is currently under investigation.

Naba Das was rushed to a local hospital and was airlifted to Bhubaneswar for further treatment.

The shooting occurred near a busy square in the Jharsuguda district, and the police officer who shot the minister has been taken into custody for questioning.

Officials have not yet released a motive for the shooting.

Naba Kisore Das, a senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader, is a three-time MLA and recently made news for reportedly donating a pitcher made of gold and silver worth over Rs. 1 crore to a temple in Maharashtra.

He is the second richest minister in the Naveen Patnaik cabinet after the chief minister.

The shooting shocked the state, and the political leaders have expressed their condolences to the minister’s family and wished for his speedy recovery.

The police are now investigating the case and trying to find the reason behind the shooting.

In the wake of the incident, security has been increased in the area, and the state government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.