Overview

• Police said two motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire around 10 pm near Panda’s residence in the Brahmanagar/Baikunthanagar area, striking him in the chest.
• Locals rushed the senior advocate to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
• Ganjam police formed a special investigation team, seized CCTV footage, and collected scientific evidence as a manhunt is underway for the shooters.
• Investigators have not identified a motive, and colleagues note Panda was a State Bar Council member who joined the BJP after earlier association with the Congress.
• The All Odisha Lawyers' Association called a statewide abstention from court work on October 8, and senior political leaders visited the hospital to condemn the killing.