Odisha Lawyers Boycott Court to Protest Advocate’s Murder

Lawyers across Odisha on Wednesday abstained from court work to protest the brutal killing of senior advocate and State Bar Council member Pitabas Panda in Berhampur. The statewide protest was called by the Odisha State Bar Council (OSBC) demanding swift justice for the slain advocate, who was also a senior BJP leader.

Court proceedings in several districts came to a standstill as lawyers staged demonstrations and observed a day-long ceasework in solidarity. They demanded immediate arrest of the culprits, adequate compensation to Panda’s family, a high-level probe into the murder, and early implementation of the Advocate Protection Act in the state.

“Pitabas Panda was a respected member of the legal fraternity and was elected to the State Bar Council with the highest number of votes. His brutal killing has shocked the legal community,” said OSBC President Sitanshu Mohan Dwivedi.

Dwivedi urged the state government to ensure a transparent investigation and take stringent action against those responsible. The Bar Council has also written to the Chief Minister and Home Department seeking urgent intervention.

Panda, a prominent advocate and political figure, was murdered in Berhampur two days ago, sparking widespread outrage and calls for stronger security measures for legal professionals in Odisha.