Bhubaneswar: Senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda was shot dead in Odisha’s Berhampur city on Monday night.
According to sources, two motorcycle-borne assailants fired two rounds at Panda near his residence at Brahmanagar under Baidyanathpur police limits at around 10 pm. He sustained bullet injuries in his chest and was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in a critical condition but was declared dead on arrival by the doctors.
Following the incident, police rushed to the spot and initiated an investigation to ascertain the motive behind the attack. Footage of nearby CCTV cameras are being scanned to identify the assailants.
Panda, who was also a member of the Odisha State Bar Council, was previously associated with the Congress. He was also at the forefront in the fight against corruption and crimes in Berhampur city.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday expressed grief over the brutal murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda outside his residence in Odisha’s Berhampur city last night.
Strongly condemning the incident, the Chief Minister directed the police administration to identify the criminals involved and ensure exemplary punishment. He further stated that Odisha is a peaceful state, and such heinous and barbaric incidents will not be tolerated under any circumstances, a CMO release said.
The Chief Minister has also extended his deep condolences to the bereaved family, it added.
Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, who along with several BJP leaders rushed to the medical college and hospital upon hearing about the attack, expressed shock over the incident. He called Panda “a well-known and courageous leader who regularly raised his voice against corruption,” adding that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.
Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal described Panda’s death as a great loss to both the party and the society. He asserted that the government will act firmly, stressing that Odisha is a peaceful state and no anti-social elements will be spared. “Let the investigation continue. If there’s a political link, it will come out,” he added.
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