Cuttack (Orissa): Brahmananda Panda, a former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Lok Sabha member, died Saturday at his hometown Cuttack in Orissa following a heart attack, family sources said. He was 61. Srin Panda was a prominent criminal lawyer and writer .

Panda was a member of 14th Lok Sabha from 2004-2009 from Jagatsinghpur constituency from rulling BJD ticket.  Last time he could not contest as the same seat reserved for SC candidates. He born on 3rd April 1949 in Jagannathpur Village under Raghunathpur Police Station of Jagatsinghpur District . His father late sri Krushna Chandra Panda and mother late Smt Bengabati Devi. He was educated at Ravenshaw College, and Madhusudhan Law College, Utkal University (Orissa)

Sri Panda founded Nilachakra organisation , a leading socio-cultural organisation that is engaged in the promotion of Oriya culture. His wife Namita Panda was the Chairman of state Women Commission. He is survived his wife Namita Panda and two son. He was immediately admitted to the SCB Medical College Hospital due to Chest pain around at 8 pm on Saturday.

Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant  Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik  expressed their deep condolences and said Panda's demise was an irreparable loss for the state. Founder of KIIT deemed University Dr A. Samanta has also expressed his deep condolences .