By Admin 
Bikram Panda, former MLA of Berhampur, Odisha and Ganjam district president of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has been arrested on charges of murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and lawyer Pitabash Panda. Odisha Police has confirmed the arrest of Bikram Panda on Wednesday (October 22, 2025). At the same time, after the arrest of the BJD leader, his supporters protested strongly.
Actually, this incident happened earlier this month, late night on 6th October, when two bike-borne assailants shot dead Pitabash near his residence in Berhampur. Pitabash was a member of the Bar Council of Odisha. After his murder, anger has spread among the people regarding law and order in the entire state.
Bikram arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy
Odisha Police informed about the action taken after this murder. Police said that Bikram Panda was arrested from his Gajapati Nagar residence late night on Tuesday (October 21, 2025) on charges of criminal conspiracy. Along with Bikram Panda, the police have arrested former Berhampur mayor Shiba Shankar Das, a former corporate and 9 others in this case. After which all the accused were presented in the local court of Berhampur.
Four accused involved in murder still absconding
Four accused of this murder are said to be still absconding, including the attackers who attacked Pitabash. Police suspect that there are reasons behind this murder like personal enmity, political ambitions and business related disputes. The investigation has also mentioned a case related to money transaction, which took place between the former MLA and the deceased. At the same time, the police have recovered the weapons used in this murder from the sea shore near the Ganjam-Puri border.
Will give strictest punishment to the accused – Chief Minister
The murder case of BJP leader Pitabash Panda has also become a challenge for the BJP government of Odisha. The Bar Council of India has demanded that a SIT be formed to investigate the case and its investigation be completed within a stipulated time. Lawyers across the state are on strike regarding the matter. After which State Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assured that he will give such punishment to all the accused involved in this case, which will be an example for the criminals.
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