Berhampur, Oct 8: Lawyers and political leaders across the country have expressed strong condemnation over the brutal murder of Pitabas Panda, a member of the Odisha State Bar Council and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, in Berhampur. In protest, the Odisha State Bar Council has called for a pen-down strike on Wednesday.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has urgently written to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police of Odisha, demanding the immediate formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), robust witness protection, swift arrests, ex gratia support for Panda’s family, and a fast-tracked trial.
BCI Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra warned that if meaningful progress is not made within 72 hours, the Bar Council would approach constitutional courts and organize nationwide peaceful protests to defend the safety and dignity of the legal profession. "If no progress is made, we will take action to ensure justice," Mishra stated.
The shocking murder occurred on the evening of October 6, 2025, when Panda was returning home from his chamber. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle shot him at point-blank range near his residence. He was rushed to the hospital by locals but succumbed to his injuries. As of October 7, 2025, the police had made no breakthroughs in their investigation.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi condemned the brutal killing and expressed deep concern over the loss of a senior lawyer and BJP leader in Berhampur. He has instructed the police to track down the assailants swiftly and ensure they face exemplary punishment.
Sitanshu Mohan Diwedi, President of the Odisha State Bar Council, has called for the immediate arrest of the culprits within 48 hours and demanded compensation of ₹1 crore for Panda's family, along with a judicial inquiry into the incident. Diwedi also announced that lawyers across Odisha would observe a pen-down protest in response to the brutal killing of one of their own.
The Bar Council of India also expressed its outrage in a press release, noting that Panda was a top performer in the recent Bar Council elections. The BCI condemned the murder as not only an attack on an individual but also an assault on the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law in Odisha and the country.
The lawyers’ body demanded the appointment of a special public prosecutor of repute, the filing of a charge-sheet within the statutory timeline, and an expedited trial in a designated court.
As the investigation continues, the call for swift justice and accountability grows louder from all corners of the country.
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