Berhampur, Jun 25: Odisha Police on Thursday filed the final charge-sheet in the murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabash Panda before the sub-divisional judicial magistrate (SDJM) court here, nearly nine months after the incident.

The comprehensive charge-sheet, spanning over 390 pages and accompanied by supporting documents, names 16 accused persons. Among them are former Berhampur MLA and BJD’s Ganjam district unit president Bikram Panda, former Berhampur Mayor Siva Shankar Das, and BJD corporator Malay Bisoi. All accused are currently under judicial custody.

Police also submitted the documents in digital format for the accused. “We are yet to get a copy of the final charge-sheet. We will take further steps after going through it,” said Deepak Patnaik, counsel for the former MLA.

Earlier, on January 4, police had filed a preliminary charge-sheet of over 1,660 pages in connection with the murder that took place on October 6 last year. “We have filed the final charge-sheet. If required, we will investigate the case further after getting permission from the trial court,” a senior police officer said.

Charges pressed against the accused include murder, criminal conspiracy, organized crime, destruction of evidence, harboring offenders, and violations under the Arms Act.
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Advocate Panda was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants near his residence at Baikuntha Nagar under Baidyanathpur police station. He was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital by locals, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The filing of the final charge-sheet marks a significant step in the judicial process of one of Berhampur’s most high-profile murder cases, with the trial expected to proceed on the basis of extensive documentary and forensic evidence.