Argus News - Pen Drive With ‘Objectionable’ Images Sparks Fresh Controversy in Pitabas Panda Murder Case

Berhampur, Feb 12: The murder case of BJP leader and advocate Pitabas Panda took another contentious turn on Thursday after serious allegations were levelled by advocate Deepak Pattnaik, counsel for the accused Bikram Panda. The claims, centred on a pen drive allegedly recovered during investigation, have raised fresh questions over the handling of evidence mentioned in the chargesheet.

Pen Drive Recovered from Secret Chamber

According to Pattnaik, investigators had recovered a key from Pitabas Panda’s sacred thread (paita) following his death. The key was reportedly used to open a secret chamber inside his Berhampur residence in the presence of his wife, Sushmita.

The defence counsel claimed that a pen drive found inside the chamber contained four “objectionable” photographs of his client, Bikram Panda, with a woman. As per the allegations, one image purportedly showed the two lying on a bed holding hands, with a glass of alcohol placed nearby.

Also Read: Prime Accused Shot in Encounter, Forensic Team Recovers Key Evidence

‘Mentioned in Chargesheet, Not Produced In Court’

Questioning the investigation process, Pattnaik alleged that although reference to the pen drive and the photographs has been made in the chargesheet, the material has not been produced before the court.

“A secret key was found from Pitabas’ paita after his death. The key was used to open a secret chamber inside his house by police in the presence of his wife. After opening the chamber, police had recovered a pen drive that contained a few objectionable pictures of my client with a woman. Even as this is mentioned in the chargesheet, they have not produced it before the court,” Pattnaik said.