Condolences poured in on Saturday from different quarters for Vigilance Director and writer Debasis Panigrahi, who succumbed to Covid-19 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kolkata at around 10.15 pm on Friday.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took to his Twitter handle to mourn the death of the 1991-batch IPS officer.
DGP Abhay also paid rich tribute to the departed soul and said, “He was an outstanding police officer, an accomplished writer, a compassionate human being and a dear friend. Odisha Police is (rendered) poorer. He will be missed and remembered for his hard work, integrity, sincerity, leadership and humility.”
Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena said Panigrahi’s demise has left a huge void in the State bureaucracy that cannot be easily filled.
Former Twin City Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi also condoled Panigrahi’s death.
Panigrahi had initially been admitted to the Ashwini Covid Hospital, Cuttack on May 29. He was airlifted to Kolkata on June 8 as he required ECMO support after deterioration of his health condition. He had developed complications, including inflammation of lungs.
His body, which was brought to his Cuttack official residence on Saturday, was later consigned to flames at the Khannagar crematorium.