Advocate’s brutal murder in Berhampur: Lawyers observe state-wide “Pen-Down” protest, demand culprits’ arrest
The Orissa State Bar Council (OSBC) yesterday had asked the legal fraternity to observe the "Pen-Down" protest to maintain integrity, solidarity, dignity and welfare of legal fraternity.
Cuttack: Lawyers across Odisha are observing a state-wide complete “Pen-Down” protest over the brutal murder of advocate Pitabas Panda in Berhampur on Monday evening. The Orissa State Bar Council (OSBC) yesterday had asked the legal fraternity to observe the “Pen-Down” protest to maintain integrity, solidarity, dignity and welfare of legal fraternity.
Apart from protesting Panda’s brutal murder, the OSBC also has urged the State government to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits involved in this ghastly crime within 48 hours and to conduct a thorough and time-bound investigation to uncover any larger conspiracy.
This apart, they demanded the State government to pay a sum of Rs 1 Crore ex-gratia compensation to the bereaved family of Pitabas Panda.
Besides, the Odisha State Bar Council demanded the State Government to constitute a high-level Judicial inquiry commission to probe the circumstances leading to the murder, including any motives related to professional or extraneous factors, and submit a report within three months.
The Council also called upon the State Government, the Director General of Police, and all concerned authorities to treat this matter with the utmost urgency and sensitivity, reaffirming their commitment to the protection of the legal profession by promulgating Advocate Protection Act in the State forthwith.
It is to be noted here that senior advocate Pitabas Panda was shot dead by unidentified miscreants outside his residence in Brahmanagar area of Berhampur on Monday evening. Though police have started an investigation into the murder case, are clueless of the culprits.
