Three days on, 30 suspects interrogated in BJP leader Pitabas Panda’s murder; no arrests yet

Even after three days of the shocking daylight murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda in Berhampur, the Odisha Police are yet to make any arrests.

Despite intensive questioning of at least 30 individuals and multiple leads, the investigation remains wide open, with officials confirming that the case is being treated as a pre-planned assassination rather than a random act of violence.

Police Yet To Trace Assailants

On Monday, Pitabas Panda was shot dead near his residence in Baikuntha Nagar under Baidyanathpur police limits.

Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M confirmed to OTV that two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at close range, striking Panda in the chest before fleeing the scene.

He also added that six dedicated police teams, each headed by a senior officer, are working simultaneously on various aspects of the case, including the identification of suspects, the analysis of CCTV footage, and tracking the escape route of the shooters.

In the last development, sources reported that over 30 individuals have been interrogated, footage from more than 75 CCTV cameras has been analysed, and searches have been conducted at 20 different locations.

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Evidence Points To Pre-Planned Attack

According to reports obtained so far, preliminary forensic analysis and eyewitness accounts indicate that the murder was executed with precision and prior planning.

Investigators suspect the involvement of contract killers, though the motive behind the killing, whether political, personal, or professional rivalry, remains under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, a two-member medical team from MKCG Medical College and Hospital conducted the post-mortem. According to Professor Sudeepa Das, who was part of the autopsy team, the bullet was fired from approximately two metres away, entering the upper right chest and lodging in the upper lumbar spine.

“The cause of death was haemorrhagic shock due to severe blood loss following gunshot injuries to the right lung and major thoracic vessels,” she said, adding that nearly four litres of blood were lost.

Further, evidence had pointed out that a country-made weapon was used in the shooting, though the SP stated that it would be confirmed only after the findings of a probe committee. Ballistics experts are now examining the retrieved bullet to determine the exact firearm used in the crime.