In a major development in the murder case of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda, the Berhampur police have detained three individuals, including a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawan, for questioning. The involvement of a paramilitary personnel has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
According to police sources, the trio is being intensively interrogated to determine their exact role in the crime. Officials believe these detentions could help unravel the motive behind the high-profile killing that has shocked the legal community and the city of Berhampur.
On the night of October 6, unidentified assailants shot dead advocate Pitabas Panda at point-blank range near his residence before fleeing the scene.
Preliminary investigations suggest the possible involvement of criminals from outside the state, though the motive remains unclear. Police are currently examining multiple angles, including professional rivalry and personal enmity.
Yesterday, Saurav Panda, the son of the slain advocate, urged the Odisha government to ensure strict punishment for his father’s killers, saying justice must be served swiftly.
Police teams are continuing search operations and verifying local CCTV footage to trace the attackers’ route and possible accomplices.
