On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, lawyers across Odisha completely halted court proceedings in a powerful protest against the brutal murder of senior advocate and State Bar Council (SBC) member, Pitabas Panda. This tragic incident occurred just two days prior in Berhampur.
The Odisha State Bar Council initiated this widespread agitation, with all bar associations throughout the state joining in. Their collective demand is unequivocal: justice for Panda, who was also a prominent senior leader of the BJP.
SBC president Sitanshu Mohan Dwivedi underscored Panda’s standing, noting he was elected to the State Bar Council with an overwhelming number of votes. Dwivedi issued a strong call for the immediate arrest of those responsible, fair compensation for the victim’s grieving family, a comprehensive high-level inquiry into the circumstances of the murder, and the prompt implementation of the Advocate Protection Act to safeguard legal professionals.
The horrific crime unfolded on Monday night when Panda, aged 50, was fatally shot by two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle. He was standing near his residence in the Brahma Nagar area of Berhampur town when the attack occurred. Panda sustained a fatal bullet wound to his right chest and was pronounced dead upon arrival at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur.
Further emphasizing the gravity of the situation, the State Bar Council formally urged the state government, the Director General of Police (DGP), and all relevant authorities to treat this incident with the utmost urgency and seriousness it deserves.
In a display of solidarity, members of the Orissa High Court Bar Council organized a rally to demand justice for Panda, submitting a memorandum to the Cuttack District Collector. Similarly, lawyers from the Bhubaneswar Bar Association staged a dharna (sit-in protest) in front of the district and sessions judge court, boycotting all court work.
The murder has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, among other political figures, have expressed their strong disapproval and offered condolences to Panda’s family. The Chief Minister has specifically directed police authorities to ensure that the culprits involved in this heinous crime face exemplary punishment.
Adding to the pressure, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has also voiced its profound concern over Pitabas Panda’s murder. BCI president Manan Kumar Mishra called for the immediate formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly probe the incident. The BCI stressed the need for an impartial and transparent investigation, urging authorities to complete the inquiry within a strict timeframe. They also demanded the swift apprehension of all perpetrators, conspirators, and facilitators, along with the recovery of weapons and any digital evidence pertinent to the crime. Mr. Mishra unequivocally stated that the safety and dignity of advocates are absolutely non-negotiable.
The BCI has formally communicated its demands in a letter addressed to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and DGP Y.B. Khurania, reiterating the call for an SIT led by a senior IPS officer.
Despite more than 30 hours having passed since the murder, police sources indicate that there are currently no concrete leads regarding the identity of the killers, as highlighted by advocate Sushant Kumar Rath, a member of the Bhubaneswar Bar Association.
Following a ballistic examination of cartridge cases found at the crime scene, police sources confirmed that a 9mm pistol was used in Panda’s murder. In response, Berhampur police have mobilized six distinct teams to diligently work on identifying and apprehending the assailants, who are suspected to be professional criminals.