No Arrests Yet in BJP Leader Pitabash Panda Murder Case; 30 Interrogated

The investigation into the brutal murder of BJP member and advocate Pitabash Panda in Odisha’s Ganjam district continues, with police yet to make any arrests even after interrogating around 30 suspects, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

Panda was shot dead at close range by two unidentified assailants who arrived on a motorcycle near his residence at Baikuntha Nagar, under Baidyanathpur police station limits, on Monday evening. The attackers fled the scene soon after, triggering panic in the locality.

Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M said that a massive manhunt is underway to track down the culprits. “We have formed six special teams, each led by a senior officer, to probe different aspects of the case,” he stated.

According to the SP, the investigation teams have been assigned distinct responsibilities — including identifying the accused, analysing CCTV footage from nearby areas, tracing the shooters’ movements, and conducting a technical probe into possible phone and vehicle data links.

Preliminary inquiries suggest that Panda’s killing might have been premeditated, though police have not ruled out personal enmity or political rivalry as possible motives. Forensic experts have been roped in, and ballistic analysis of recovered evidence is underway.

The murder has sparked outrage among BJP workers and residents, who have demanded a swift and impartial investigation. Party leaders have urged authorities to expedite arrests and ensure justice for Panda, who was known for his active involvement in local legal and political circles.

Police have stepped up patrolling and intensified security in sensitive areas of Berhampur to prevent any law and order disturbances as the investigation progresses.