Berhampur: Weeks after the brutal murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda, his family members in Odisha’s Berhampur city alleged that they have received threat calls from unidentified people
The family members of Panda, who was shot dead on October 6, are in a state of fear and want proper security at their Baikuntha Nagar residence in the city.
Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M said an FIR has been registered in connection with the threat calls and investigation is underway. Police are in regular touch with the family and regular patrolling is being done, he said.
According to sources, the son of the late advocate has twice received menacing calls from unknown numbers in the recent past. The callers, in a tone filled with intimidation, allegedly warned the family to withdraw the murder case, saying sinisterly, “If you want to live, step back. Haven’t you seen how your father was killed?”
The chilling message, recounting the horror of the crime, has compounded the grief of the family, who continue to struggle with the emotional void left by the loss of their loved one.
Alarmed at the renewed threats, younger brother of the deceased lawyer Purna Chandra Panda lodged an FIR at the BN Pur Police Station. “We are living in a constant state of fear. The memories of the incident have not faded, and now these calls are haunting us every moment. We request for immediate protection,” he said.
Responding to the development, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M assured the family that necessary security measures would be taken and that the police remain committed to ensuring their safety. He further emphasised that strict and decisive action will follow against whoever is behind the threatening calls.
