BJP leader shot dead in Berhampur: Questions mount over pre-planned murder and law & order lapse

Questions continue to swirl around the brutal killing of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda in Berhampur. Who were the two assailants? Was the murder pre-planned?

According to reports, two men on a motorcycle arrived near Pitabas Panda’s residence at Baikuntha Nagar in Berhampur and shot him at point-blank range before fleeing the scene. The bullet struck him in the chest, leading to his death.

The shocking incident has sparked widespread concern and speculation about who might be behind such a heinous act.

Pitabas Panda, a well-known lawyer in the city, had previously been associated with the Congress before joining the BJP ahead of the last elections. He had fought several high-profile cases, including the Gopalpur gang rape case, and had also played a key role in exposing various corruption scandals.

Given his prominence and past legal battles, questions are being raised about possible motives behind his murder. The incident has also triggered public anxiety over the law and order situation in the district — if a lawyer can be killed so openly, how safe are the ordinary citizens?

Meanwhile, police have visited the crime scene, begun an investigation, and are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas to trace the culprits. 

Several questions have now been raised following the brutal murder of Panda, like-Why was there no police patrolling even on Kumar Purnima night?  Why did the police delay reaching the crime scene?  Why were the CCTV cameras near the crime spot removed?  Who removed the CCTV cameras? Is there any link between this murder and the Gopalpur gang-rape case?  Pitabas was the lawyer in the Gopalpur gang-rape case. Is there any involvement of the mafia in the murder? Had he exposed corruption or filed any public interest cases? Were there any controversies related to those public interest cases?  Was there any political enmity involved?

Also Read: BJP leader shot dead, situation tense in Berhampur

"The way he has been murdered seems to be pre-planned. A criminal will not touch a lawyer. A supari killer must have been engaged. They don't know him (Panda) and his photos have been shown only to him. They must have followed him for 10-15 days. They have also marked his travelling time and might have killed him as per the plan. When an advocate is murdered, it means the law and order situation has deteriorated. The administration is fully silent. We don't have any law and order situation prevailing in Berhampur and the Ganjam district. When an advocate is murdered, what could be the situation of the common citizens? Common people are in a state of panic, and they are thinking that when an advocate is murdered, who will give us security?” asked senior lawyer Deepak Patnaik.

"The District Intelligence Bureau has been fully inactive for a long time. It was a matter of surprise that there was no police patrolling on the busy road, even on the occasion of Kumar Purnima yesterday.  It means law and order has completely vanished in Berhampur. Because of the failure of the administration, a valuable life was lost. There might be some political and business enmity against him," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has given a strong reaction regarding the murder of Panda. He stated that the culprits will be traced and arrested very soon. 

CM Majhi stated that exemplary action will be taken against those responsible. All the criminals involved in the incident will be identified and brought to justice. He further said that such heinous and inhuman acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The Chief Minister also expressed his deep condolences to the family of the deceased.