Berhampur: In a major breakthrough in the Pitabas Panda death case, former Berhampur MLA Bikram Kumar Panda was arrested on Wednesday. The arrest marks a significant development in the investigation into the murder of BJP leader and lawyer Pitabas Panda, who was shot dead on October 6.
According to police sources, Bikram Panda was taken into custody from his residence in Gajapatinagar on Tuesday night. He was interrogated throughout the night before being formally arrested. Former Berhampur Mayor Shiv Shankar (Pintu) Das has also been taken into custody in connection with the same case.
So far, a total of eight accused persons have been arrested in connection with the murder.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Case Name | Pitabas Panda Murder Case |
| Arrested | Former MLA Bikram Kumar Panda, Former Mayor Pintu Das, and 6 others |
| Date of Murder | October 6, 2025 |
| Arrest Location | Gajapatinagar, Berhampur |
| Motive Identified | Political dispute over an election petition |
| Investigating Officer | SP Saravana Vivek M |
Political Motive Behind the Murder
Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M revealed that the investigation has uncovered a political motive behind the killing. The murder was allegedly linked to an election petition filed against Berhampur MLA K. Anil Kumar on May 19, 2024.
The petition was filed in the name of a helper working at the residence of Pintu Das, though it was reportedly orchestrated by Das himself, with financial support from Bikram Panda. According to the SP, there was an understanding between the two that if MLA Anil Kumar were disqualified, Panda would contest the by-election while Das would be backed to become the Mayor of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC).
“This political motive is a key part of what we have come to know so far in our investigation,” said SP Saravana Vivek M during a press briefing.
Police sources indicated that further interrogation of the arrested individuals is underway, and more arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation continues.
(The content is sourced from agencies and has not been edited by mtimes.co.in.)
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