BJP Leader Pitabash Panda Shot Dead in Berhampur

In a shocking incident, senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabash Panda was shot dead near his home in Berhampur, Odisha, on the night of October 6, 2025. The attack occurred around 10 PM in the Brahma Nagar area, where two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle approached him and fired multiple shots, hitting him in the chest. Despite being rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Pitabash Panda, a prominent figure in the legal community and a member of the Odisha State Bar Council, had previously been associated with the Congress party before joining the BJP ahead of the last general elections. His murder has sent shockwaves through the state, prompting the Bar Council and the Lawyers Association to call for a statewide ceasework in protest.

Odisha BJP chief Manmohan Samal expressed his sorrow, stating, "I am deeply saddened to learn about the shooting and the tragic death of Pitabash Panda, a BJP leader and lawyer from Berhampur. The brutal murder of a respected lawyer and an active party worker is condemnable."

Advocate Gyana Ranjan Mohanty, a member of the Odisha State Bar Council, condemned the act as a direct assault on the justice system. He stated, "This heinous act is not only a murder of an individual, but a direct assault on the justice system and the rule of law. Such barbaric violence against a lawyer in his own locality exposes the complete breakdown of law and order in the region."

Mohanty has called for immediate action from state officials, urging them to ensure the swift arrest of the culprits. He emphasized that this incident raises serious concerns about the safety of legal professionals in Odisha.

In response to the murder, police have launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify the attackers. Ganjam SP Subhendu Patra confirmed that a team is actively working on the case, stating, "We will soon nab the accused."

The legal community in Odisha is united in grief and anger, demanding justice and protection for all legal professionals in the state. The ceasework is scheduled for October 10, as lawyers across Odisha express their solidarity with Panda's family and protest against the rising violence in the region.