Berhampur, Oct 23: The murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabash Panda has shocked Odisha, not only for its brutality but for the deep betrayal at its core. What began as a close friendship between Panda and two prominent political figures — Vikram Panda and Shivashankar Das (alias Pintu Das)- ended in a deadly conspiracy that has stunned the state.

Pitabash Panda was gunned down by two assailants near his residence at Baikuntha Nagar here on October 6.

From Allies to Adversaries

Advocate Pitabash Panda, former MLA and BJD Ganjam district president Vikram Panda and former Mayor Pintu Das were once inseparable. Their bond dated back to their college days.

Pitabash represented Pintu in legal matters in 2007. However, after Pintu became Mayor of Berhampur Municipality in 2008, tensions began to rise. Political ambitions and personal differences gradually turned allies into rivals.

Senior journalist Ajit Sahu revealed that Pitabash had been a key advisor to Vikram Panda during multiple elections — 2000, 2004, 2009, and 2014 general elections. But their paths diverged when Vikram joined BJD in 2018 and won the 2019 election, while Pitabash didn’t join him and remained loyal to Congress. Gradually, their difference of opinion started.

Advocate Pitabash Panda won the highest votes during the Odisha State Bar council election, however Bikram Panda used his influence in Pitabash not getting the coveted Vice Chairperson post. Since that time their enmity has increased multiple times.

The Conspiracy Unfolds 

Of late, multiple posts in social media and videos of social media talking ill of Bikram Panda became viral which he believed was done by Pitabash Panda.

By 2024, the bitterness between the trio had reached a tipping point. According to Brahmapur SP Dr. Shravana Vivek, Vikram and Pintu allegedly masterminded the murder to eliminate Pitabash, who had become a political obstacle. Their plan reportedly involved filing an election petition to unseat current MLA K. Anil Kumar and using corporator Malay Bishoyi’s support to execute the crime.

K. Anil Kumar, shocked by the revelations, stated that a full-fledged political network was mobilized to carry out the murder — a reality difficult to digest even for seasoned politicians.

Police Action and Arrests

Berhampur Police today arrested Sunil Hota, a long-time close friend of Bikram Panda, from Jeypore for allegedly providing shelter to the shooters. Police had on Wednesday arrested 12 people, including Bikram Kumar Panda, former Berhampur mayor Siva Shankar Das, corporator Malaya Bisoyi and Panda's associate Madan Dalei in the case.The investigation continues, with more arrests expected.