CISF Jawan Among Three Detained in Pitabas Panda Murder Probe
Berhampur, Odisha — In a major breakthrough in the murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda, Berhampur police have detained three individuals, including a jawan from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
The detentions mark a significant turn in the investigation, which has gripped the legal and political circles of Odisha.
Panda was shot dead at point-blank range near his residence on the night of October 6 by unidentified assailants who fled the scene.
The involvement of paramilitary personnel has added complexity to the case, prompting authorities to explore multiple angles, including professional rivalry and personal enmity.
Police sources confirmed that the trio is being intensively interrogated to determine their roles and motives.
Investigators are also probing the possibility of external criminal involvement, with leads suggesting that the attackers may have come from outside the state.
Saurav Panda, the victim’s son, has publicly appealed to the Odisha government for swift and stringent justice, emphasising the need for accountability in such high-profile crimes.
Search operations are ongoing, and CCTV footage from the vicinity is being analysed to trace the attackers’ movements and identify any accomplices.
