Police have made significant progress in the Pitabas Panda murder case by interrogating Bikram Panda, former Berhampur MLA and Ganjam district BJD president.
The interrogation took place at Baidyanathpur Police Station on Tuesday night, focusing on a financial transaction suspected to be connected to the case.
Lawyer Pitabas Panda, a member of the Odisha State Bar Council, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle near his Brahmanagar residence on October 6. He sustained bullet injuries to the chest and was declared dead on arrival at MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
The investigation has intensified in recent days. Police arrested a sharpshooter named Chintu from Bengaluru and seized the firearm allegedly used in the murder. In a parallel development, a youth who had been absconding since the incident was detained from Puri. Acting on a tip-off, a special team tracked him near the seashore and recovered a pistol reportedly buried in the sand.
Despite multiple arrests, the case had remained unsolved for weeks. The questioning of Bikram Panda marks a significant turn, with police now exploring deeper financial and political connections. Southern Range IG Niti Shekhar earlier stated that the investigation was nearing its final stage.
Over the past 15 days, police have questioned more than 80 individuals and reviewed over 500 CCTV footage clips. They also analyzed the call detail records of the deceased. Investigators are examining various angles, including property disputes, loan dealings, and professional rivalries.
The involvement of a student leader and a corporator has also surfaced, suggesting potential political motives behind the killing. A press conference is expected soon to reveal further findings.
