Odisha: Ex-BJD MLA Bikram Panda among 12 held in BJP leader Pitabas Panda murder case

Berhampur/Bhubaneswar (Odisha) | Odisha Police on Wednesday arrested 12 people, including former Berhampur MLA and BJD's Ganjam district president Bikram Panda, for the murder of BJP leader and advocate Pitabas Panda, officials said.

The BJD criticised the arrests of Bikram Panda and two other party leaders, calling them "politically motivated".

Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M told reporters that the murder was the result of "political rivalry, personal enmity and financial loss."

Former Berhampur mayor Siba Shankar Das (Pintu), corporator Malay Bishoyi, and Panda's associate Madan Dalei were among those arrested, the SP said.

Pitabas Panda, a senior advocate and member of the Odisha State Bar Council, was shot dead near his residence in Brahmanagar on October 6.

"There was a deal of Rs 50 lakh to eliminate Pitabas Panda, of which Rs 10 lakh was paid to the person who opened fire," the SP said.

He added that Bikram Panda had conspired to murder Pitabas Panda.

The SP said police have seized the weapon used in the killing.

"The killer, identified as Kurupathi Bhuyan, said 'namaste' to the victim and confirmed his identity before opening fire from a pistol. One Chintu Pradhan was driving the two-wheeler and they fled after executing the crime," the SP said.

He said a plan to kill Pitabas Panda was hatched on September 24 by two Bihar-based criminals but could not be executed due to some issue.

The SP said police have seized the weapon used in the killing.

Over the past two weeks, investigators questioned more than 80 people and reviewed over 500 CCTV camera clips, the SP said, adding that police have produced Bikram Panda and others at the Berhampur court under heavy security.

Keeping in view the possible backlash, police deployed a large police force around the court premises to maintain order.

The SP said that the victim was once a close friend of Bikram Panda but had recently become a hurdle to his political ambitions.

Bikram Panda and Siba Sankar Dash roped in Malaya Bisoi and Madan Dalei to execute the plan, who in turn contacted Uma Bisoi, an anti-social, to arrange for shooters.

"During the investigation, an election petition emerged as a common link between Bikram Panda and Siba Sankar Dash. An election petition was filed on May 19, 2024, against the sitting BJP MLA K Anil Kumar of Berhampur. The petition was filed in the name of a helper who works at Siba Sankar Dash's residence. In reality, it was filed by Siba Shankar Das himself. The legal expenses and advocate fees for pursuing the election petition were being borne by Bikram Panda," the SP said.

"There was an understanding between them that if the MLA was disqualified over their petition, Bikram Panda would contest the assembly seat in the by-election, and using his influence through corporators, he would help make Siba Sankar Dash the mayor," the SP said.

Bikram Panda, also an advocate, had won the assembly seat in 2019 but was denied ticket in 2024 elections.

Pitabas Panda was fighting the case on behalf of Anil Kumar.

"They decided to get rid of Pitabas Panda for their political survival," the SP added.

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, BJD vice-president and Opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik described the arrest of Bikram Panda as "politically motivated".

BJD senior general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra and media coordinator Lenin Mohanty also alleged that Bikram Panda was framed in a conspiracy to shield Gopalpur MLA and state Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena.

"There have been allegations of involvement of Bibhuti Bhusan Jena in illegal sand trade. Pitabas Panda murder is suspected to have links with sand trade. Former BJP zilla parishad member N Damburu Reddy, in a letter addressed to the chief minister, has demanded Jena's removal from the cabinet for a fair probe amid allegations of his involvement in the murder. The letter had put the BJP government in a tight spot. To divert attention, Bikram Panda was arrested in a dramatic manner," Mallik said.

Mallik said there is absolutely no evidence against Bikram Panda.

This is a politically motivated move by the BJP after realising that they are losing the by-poll in Nuapada, he added.

The BJP, on the other hand, dismissed the BJD's allegations.

"The BJD leaders' remarks are immature and inappropriate. Everyone should cooperate with the ongoing investigation, and criminals must not be shielded," BJP state vice-president Jatin Mohanty said.

On BJD leaders' allegation against minister Jena, Mohanty said, "If they have evidence against the minister, they should go to the court and get justice instead of making fake allegations."

Senior BJP leader and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari alleged that the BJD was protecting the criminals.

"The BJD is doing injustice towards Odisha by supporting the criminals and crime," the minister said.