Berhampur: Berhampur police have detained six persons for questioning in connection with the brutal murder of senior lawyer Pitabas Panda on October 6 night.
Addressing the media, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M revealed that investigators have pieced together the final moments of Panda’s fateful journey from his office chamber to his Baikuntha Nagar residence from the footage retrieved from over 60 CCTV. “He met several people on his way back home. We have interrogated more than 50 individuals, including his close associates and local shopkeepers, to trace the pattern of movement and motive behind those meetings,” he said.
An XUV, which was trailing Panda’s vehicle, has also been traced and its owner is being questioned. “We are probing why the vehicle followed him, who were inside it, and where were they heading,” the SP said, asserting that no lead will be left unexplored until absolute clarity is achieved.
Meanwhile, police are awaiting the postmortem report and the ballistic report to get clarity on the firearm used in the murder. The bullet which was retrieved from Pitabasa’s body has been sent to the State Forensic Laboratory for examination. “Scientific teams have uncovered crucial evidence, and we’re closely examining all suspicious activities,” the SP noted, hinting at significant progress while keeping details confidential due to the case’s sensitivity.
Panda was shot at from point-blank range by two unidentified bike-borne assailants near his residence with one bullet piercing his chest. He was declared dead on arrival at MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
One of the retrieved CCTV footage reportedly showed the killer, wearing a white shirt and helmet, escaping on a motorcycle after firing two rounds. The assailants are believed to have reached near Panda’s residence at Baikuntha Nagar from Aska Road First Gate, and fled towards Lochapada.
Police had suspected involvement of professional shooters in the brutal killing of Panda, who was also a BJP leader and an RTI activist. However, zeroing in on the motive had become a challenge since the prominent lawyer was involved in high-stakes cases. His stand on sand, ganja and liquor mafia had earned him several enemies. He had vehemently demanded arrest of the mastermind in the recent SI recruitment scam. He also frequently spoke out against corruption.
Earlier in the day, Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena visited Panda’s residence and met the bereaved family.
The advocate’s son, Saurabh Panda, on Thursday demanded harshest punishment for the culprits. “I asked him to bring biryani. He purchased it and was on way home. Before he could make it back, he was shot dead,” the second year law student told the media.