Odisha lawyers call statewide 'pen-down' strike over advocate Pitabas Panda’s murder

Lawyers in Odisha have strongly condemned the brutal murder of senior advocate Pitabas Panda, calling for a statewide pen-down strike in protest on Wednesday. The decision came after an emergency meeting of the Odisha State Bar Council, which described the killing heinous. 

In a press release issued after the meeting, the Council announced that lawyers across the state would abstain from work, demanding immediate action from the government. 

The Council has set a 48-hour deadline for the arrest of the culprits involved in the murder. It also demanded a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the bereaved family and the formation of a high-level judicial commission to probe the case and submit its report within three months.

The Bar Council stated that the murder of an advocate in front of his residence was a tragic and shocking incident, underscoring serious concerns over the safety and security of lawyers in the state. 

It also urged the government to take steps under the Advocates’ Protection Act to ensure better protection for members of the legal community. 

Formal resolutions on these demands have been sent to the Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Justice, Law Minister, Advocate General, and the Chairman of the Bar Council of India.

Meanwhile, investigation reports have revealed chilling details about the killing. The post-mortem confirmed that Pitabas Panda was shot with a 9mm pistol at point-blank range. The bullet pierced his right chest and was later recovered near his spinal cord. The severe internal injuries caused by the gunshot proved fatal.

Police are yet to identify or arrest the assailants, though search operations and investigations are underway. 

Panda, a respected senior lawyer and member of the Odisha State Bar Council, was shot dead outside his residence on Monday night.

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The incident has sparked widespread outrage among the legal community, with calls for swift justice and stronger safety measures for advocates across Odisha.