Odisha BJP Leader Pitabash Panda Shot Dead Outside Home in Berhampur, Massive Manhunt Launched To Nab Culprits

BJP leader and senior advocate Pitabash Panda was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his residence in Odisha’s Brahmanagar.

According to the police, the incident took place at around 10 PM last night when two bike-borne miscreants opened fire at Panda and fled the spot. Locals rushed the critically injured leader to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. 

Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M said that three teams have been constituted to carry out the investigation.

Pitabash Panda was a well-known person in Berhampur’s legal fraternity and a member of the Odisha State Bar Council.

An investigation has been launched and the police are examining the CCTV footage from the area to identify the attackers. To arrest the culprits, a special team has also been formed. 

Senior Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das expressed grief and anger over the killing. In a post on X, he wrote, “Deeply shocked at the assassination of Senior Lawyer and State Bar Council Member Pitabash Panda outside his home in Berhampur. BJP has successfully established Jungle Raaj in Odisha. CM Mohan Majhi’s Govt has failed to protect even its own leader, which exposes the shocking law & order collapse in the state. Whether communal clashes, atrocities on women or such murders, things are going from bad to worse. Pained to see what’s happening in our peaceful state.”

Condemning the murder of Pitabash Panda, BJD leader Bhrugu Baxipatra told ANI, “It is very unfortunate as to what happened yesterday in Berhampur in the Ganjam district. A very senior leader of the ruling party of the district, who is also a very prominent lawyer, a member of the bar council, was shot dead last night. BJD has been continuously trying to say that the law and order situation in the state, since the BJP came to power, has completely destabilised.”

"Yesterday's incident now proves that leaders of the ruling party are also not safe. We also feel that this state government is unable to handle the situation. I will not be surprised if the investigation leads to multiple people being involved in this. This was never the law and order situation in the district. I completely condemn this," Baxipatra added.