Crime in Odisha / 30,000-Page Chargesheet Filed in Murder Case of BJP Leader Pitabas Panda
·3 months ago·3 min read
Key Points
- Police filed a 30,000-page chargesheet in the murder case of BJP leader and advocate Pitabas Panda in Berhampur.
- So far, 16 accused have been arrested, including former MLA Bikram Kumar Panda and ex-Mayor Shiv Shankar Das.
- Panda was shot dead on October 6; bail pleas of several key accused have been rejected by courts.
Berhampur, Jan 4: Police on Sunday filed a chargesheet in the high-profile murder case of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda in a local court in Berhampur, marking a significant step in the investigation into the sensational killing that had sent shockwaves across Odisha.
The Baidyanathpur police submitted the chargesheet before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court in Berhampur. Officials said the preliminary chargesheet runs into nearly 30,000 pages and was brought to the court in two large trunks, underscoring the scale of the probe. Earlier, on December 9, police had submitted the case diary and related documents to the court.
So far, police have arrested 16 accused in connection with the murder of Pitabas Panda. Those arrested include several prominent political figures such as former Berhampur MLA Bikram Kumar Panda, former Berhampur Mayor Shiv Shankar Das, BJD corporator Malay Bisoyi and BJD leader Madan Dalai, among others.
On December 16, the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge-III rejected the bail pleas of six accused, including former MLA Bikram Panda. Bail applications of Bikram Panda, Shiv Shankar Das alias Pintu, advocate Madan Mohan Dalai, Sunil Hota and Shunya Das were turned down. Earlier, on November 25, the Berhampur SDJM court had also rejected bail pleas of Bikram Panda and Madan Dalai.
Adding to the former MLA’s legal troubles, police have recently registered two additional cases against Bikram Panda for allegedly threatening the family of the deceased from jail.
Pitabas Panda was shot dead on the night of October 6, coinciding with Kumar Purnima celebrations. According to the police investigation, the senior lawyer had finished work in his chamber and was returning home on his scooter at around 10 pm. When he was barely 100 metres from his residence, two assailants, identified as Kurupati and Chintu, allegedly arrived on a motorcycle and fired at him from close range.
The shooting took place in the Baikunthanagar area near the New Bus Stand under Berhampur’s Gate Bazar limits. The attackers fled the scene immediately after opening fire. Panda later succumbed to his injuries, triggering widespread outrage and political reactions across the region.
Also Read: BCB Formally Requests ICC to Move Bangladesh T20 World Cup Matches Out of India
Police said the investigation is continuing, and further evidence may be placed before the court as the trial progresses.
The Baidyanathpur police submitted the chargesheet before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court in Berhampur. Officials said the preliminary chargesheet runs into nearly 30,000 pages and was brought to the court in two large trunks, underscoring the scale of the probe. Earlier, on December 9, police had submitted the case diary and related documents to the court.
So far, police have arrested 16 accused in connection with the murder of Pitabas Panda. Those arrested include several prominent political figures such as former Berhampur MLA Bikram Kumar Panda, former Berhampur Mayor Shiv Shankar Das, BJD corporator Malay Bisoyi and BJD leader Madan Dalai, among others.
On December 16, the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge-III rejected the bail pleas of six accused, including former MLA Bikram Panda. Bail applications of Bikram Panda, Shiv Shankar Das alias Pintu, advocate Madan Mohan Dalai, Sunil Hota and Shunya Das were turned down. Earlier, on November 25, the Berhampur SDJM court had also rejected bail pleas of Bikram Panda and Madan Dalai.
Adding to the former MLA’s legal troubles, police have recently registered two additional cases against Bikram Panda for allegedly threatening the family of the deceased from jail.
Pitabas Panda was shot dead on the night of October 6, coinciding with Kumar Purnima celebrations. According to the police investigation, the senior lawyer had finished work in his chamber and was returning home on his scooter at around 10 pm. When he was barely 100 metres from his residence, two assailants, identified as Kurupati and Chintu, allegedly arrived on a motorcycle and fired at him from close range.
The shooting took place in the Baikunthanagar area near the New Bus Stand under Berhampur’s Gate Bazar limits. The attackers fled the scene immediately after opening fire. Panda later succumbed to his injuries, triggering widespread outrage and political reactions across the region.
Also Read: BCB Formally Requests ICC to Move Bangladesh T20 World Cup Matches Out of India
Police said the investigation is continuing, and further evidence may be placed before the court as the trial progresses.
📱 Get Argus News App
✨📰 60 Word News🎬 Argus Podcast📺 Live TV and Breaking News🔔 Free Notification Alerts
Download Free:
Related Topics
Explore more stories