Odisha State Bar Council & High Court Bar Association Call For 'Pen-Down' Protest Against Murder Of Advocate Pitabash Panda

The Odisha State Bar Council (OSBC) and the Orissa High Court Bar Association (OHCBA) have called for a 'pen-down' protest on Wednesday (October 08) against the brutal murder of OSBC Member as well as seasoned lawyer Advocate Pitabash Panda.

Advocate Panda was shot dead by two unknown miscreants yesterday (October 06) near his house in the city of Berhampur. Though he was immediately taken to the MKCG Hospital, he succumbed to the fatal bullet injuries.

The OSBC passed a unanimous resolution today condemning the attack, calling it a direct assault on the independence of the Bar, the rule of law, and the safety of advocates. It also demanded a Judicial Inquiry into the matter, apart from ensuring compensation to the tune of rupees one crore to the bereaved family.

While calling upon all the Bar Associations of the State to join in the protest, the OSBC resolution stated –

“This dastardly act has sent shockwaves through the entire legal fraternity, underscoring the grave threats faced by advocates in the discharge of their professional duties and posing a direct assault on the independence of the Bar and the rule of law.”

The Bar Council urged every Advocate of the State to observe a complete 'pen-down' on Wednesday as a mark of respect to the departed soul as well as a symbol protest against the cold-blooded murder of a senior member of the Council.

The OHCBA has similarly requisitioned a Joint General Body Meeting to be held on Wednesday morning, which shall be followed by a peaceful rally. The Ganjam District Bar Association (to which Panda belonged) and the Bhubaneswar Bar Association have also passed resolutions asking its members to hold the protest and they have requested their respective District Judges and Judicial Officers to cooperate by refraining from passing adverse orders in the absence of lawyers on Wednesday.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) also condemned the reprehensible crime against a legal professional and called for an SIT probe, witness protection, and time-bound prosecution.

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