Berhampur, Nov 3: In a major breakthrough, Berhampur Police on Monday arrested Uma Shankar Bishoyi, a key conspirator in the sensational murder of BJP leader and senior advocate Pitabash Panda.

Bishoyi is accused of arranging the shooters and supplying them with weapons and cash to carry out the assassination, according to police sources.

Guns, Cash, and a Murder Plot

Earlier, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M revealed that Bishoyi provided two pistols and Rs10 lakh to hired assassins Kurupatti Bhuyan and Chintu Pradhan. The murder, executed in Berhampur on October 6, 2025, followed multiple failed attempts. Initially planned for September 14, the operation was aborted due to a medical emergency involving a co-conspirator’s family.

A Second Plan and Deadly Execution

Under instructions from one Malaya Bisoyi, Uma and his associate Jogi Rout recruited Kurupatti and Chintu from Banthapalli village in Ganjam district. Chintu traveled from Bangalore, and both stayed at a bachelor accommodation in Berhampur arranged by Uma and Jogi. After conducting surveillance on Panda’s office, home, and travel route, the killers were equipped with new clothes, a bike with a fake number plate, and weapons.

On the night of the murder, the duo waited near Panda’s residence in Alakapuri. At 10:01 PM, Kurupatti Bhuyan fired at Panda, fatally wounding him. They fled from the scene, changed clothes in Sitalapalli village, and disposed of the evidence. Police later recovered the discarded items during investigation.

Also Read: 13 Arrested in Advocate Pitabash Panda Murder Case; Two Accused Still Absconding

Conspiracy and Masterminds

Bisoyi was reportedly part of a larger conspiracy allegedly masterminded by BJD leader and former Berhampur MLA Bikram Panda and ex-Berhampur Mayor Sivshankar Das alias Pintu Das. Kurupatti Bhuyan remains absconding, and police have intensified efforts to apprehend him.

Public Outrage and Police Response

The murder has triggered concerns over contract killings and political violence in Odisha. Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M assured swift justice and stronger surveillance to prevent such crimes.

So far, at least 15 people have been arrested in the Pitabash Panda murder case in Berhampur. This includes former BJD MLA Bikram Panda and ex-Mayor Sivshankar Das.