Bar Council of India seeks SIT probe into murder of Odisha lawyer

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has demanded an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the murder of advocate Pitabas Panda, a member of the Odisha State Bar Council. .Panda was allegedly shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants on October 6 near his home in Odisha’s Berhampur. Media reports suggest that he was also a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). .In a statement released on Tuesday, the BCI condemned the murder and urged the State government to constitute an SIT under a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer to probe incident. “The Bar Council of India calls upon the Government of Odisha to constitute forthwith a Special Investigation Team headed by a senior IPS officer unconnected with the local police station, with a written mandate to complete investigation in a time-bound manner. Al perpetrators, conspirators, and facilitators must be apprehended without delay, custodial interrogation ensured where warranted, and recovery of weapons and digital evidence secured. Any lapses in beat intelligence, preventive action, or local station response must be examined immediately, with errant officials placed under suspension pending inquiry,” the BCI press release stated. Reiterating that the “safety and dignity of advocates are non-negotiable,” the BCI demanded comprehensive witness protection measures for Panda’s family and others connected to the case.It described the incident as a direct assault on the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law in the State of Odisha and in the Republic at large.” The bar body emphasised that the killing of a senior lawyer and elected representative was not just a personal tragedy but a systemic attack on the legal community.“Prosecution must proceed with equal urgency. A Special Public Prosecutor of acknowledged repute should be appointed, the charge-sheet filed within the statutory timeline, and an application moved for an expedited, framed-timeline trial before a designated Court. Strict victim and witness protection in terms of the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 must be ensured, including secure transport, relocation where necessary, confidentiality of identities, and comprehensive CCTV coverage of court premises.”.Further, the BCI called for wider protection of bar members and demanded that a statewide security advisory and a dedicated helpline or control-room protocol for advocate-related threats should be issued in 48 hours. "A rapid risk audit for Bar leaders who may face intimidation should be undertaken, and all Superintendents of Police should hold immediate liaison meetings with local Bar Associations. In coordination with the High Court administration, CCTV in court complexes and Bar premises should be installed or repaired forthwith," the BCI said. It asked for ex gratia compensation to the bereaved family of lawyers attacked and said that the next of kin should be considered for compassionate appointments as well. .[Read BCI Press Release].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.