In a scathing attack on the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), BJP leader Dr. Jatin Mohanty accused the opposition party of displaying “political immaturity and childishness” by hastily politicising the ongoing investigation into the brutal murder of senior lawyer Pitabasa Panda in Brahmapur.
Speaking at a press conference in Bhubaneswar today, Mohanty urged all parties to cooperate with the law enforcement process rather than indulging in “naked politics over a corpse.”
The murder of Pitabasa Panda on October 6 in Brahmapur has sent shockwaves through Odisha’s legal and political circles. Described as a “heartbreaking incident,” the case’s layers are gradually unfolding, with Brahmapur Superintendent of Police (SP) providing a comprehensive briefing to the media earlier in the day. The SP detailed key leads and assured swift action, emphasizing that the probe remains active.
However, the BJD’s immediate response—a hurried press conference following the SP’s statement—drew sharp criticism from Mohanty. He likened the opposition’s approach, suggesting a desperate bid to deflect from potential links to their own ranks. BJD spokespersons levelled several serious allegations against the ruling BJP and the police, which Mohanty dismissed as baseless and immature, insisting that such claims must be substantiated in court with evidence, not mere rhetoric.
“Politicising the Pitabasa Panda murder case is utterly inappropriate,” Mohanty asserted. “The investigation is underway, and everyone must support the cause of justice. Antisocial elements and criminals have no caste or religion—those involved will inevitably come under the scanner.” He highlighted Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s directives for a thorough probe, vowing that all perpetrators would face stringent punishment under the law.
Mohanty took the opportunity to remind the BJD of its own troubled legacy. During their 24-year rule, he alleged, BJD leaders—including MLAs and ministers—were repeatedly implicated in heinous crimes like murders, rapes, and organ trafficking, often shielding the accused. “Even today, they haven’t shed these habits,” he charged, pointing to the Panda case as a stark recent example. Under BJD governance, Ganjam district—represented by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik—emerged as a hotbed of crime, with antisocial elements allegedly encouraged and co-opted into politics, rendering the region perpetually sensitive to law-and-order issues.
The BJP leader stressed that police findings must withstand judicial scrutiny. “Everyone will have their day in court,” he said. “One political party’s knee-jerk comments during an active investigation only expose their immaturity. Allegations alone won’t suffice—bring facts and evidence to the table. Posing superficial questions reeks of childishness.”
In a pointed defense of the current administration, Mohanty praised CM Majhi’s “people’s government” for its zero-tolerance stance on violence. Remarkably, within just 15 days of the incident, Odisha Police unraveled the case’s core details, tracking down and arresting 12 suspects who had fled to various states. “The truth can’t be buried,” Mohanty declared, referencing the arrest of BJD’s Ganjam district president Bikram Panda as a damning revelation of the party’s character. “Stop these antics to cover up crimes and extend full cooperation to the police investigation.”
BJD’s tactics, he warned, risk undermining public trust in the judicial process. The press conference, held at the BJP state headquarters, was attended by party spokespersons Rajendra Panda and Anil Biswal, who echoed Mohanty’s call for restraint and accountability.
As the probe intensifies, authorities have reiterated that additional arrests are imminent for those still at large. The Panda murder continues to underscore broader concerns over crime and political interference in Odisha, with both sides digging in amid heightened tensions.
