Bhubaneswar, Oct 22 (NationPress) The police in Odisha have made significant progress in the shocking murder of BJP leader and esteemed advocate Pitabash Panda, who was tragically shot near his home in the Baidyanathpur Police station area of Berhampur on October 6. Authorities have apprehended 12 individuals in connection with the case, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.

The arrests include former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA and district president Bikram Kumar Panda, along with his close associates, as disclosed by District Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M..

Also among the arrested are former mayor of Berhampur Municipality, Sivashankar Dash alias Pintu, as well as advocates Malaya Kumar Bisoyi and Madan Mohan Dalai, both known to be close to Bikram. Additional individuals included Kalucharana Bhuyan, Bipin Swain, and Chintu Pradhan.

According to the Berhampur police, an extensive investigation was initiated to uncover the conspiracy behind the murder, resulting in the formation of six specialized police teams.

The investigation revealed that both former BJD MLA Bikram Panda and ex-mayor Pintu Das plotted the assassination of BJP leader Pitabash Panda due to a mix of financial, political motivations, and personal grievances.

Pintu Das harbored a personal vendetta against Pitabash, as he was the advocate in a high-profile case linked to the murder of Pintu's close associate, Shanti Mishra. Pintu blamed Pitabash for the sluggish progression of the trial and for the release of several key suspects involved in a 2013 murder case.

Moreover, Pintu accused Pitabash of inciting murder attempts against him by a suspect who had recently been released on bail.

Pintu Das has also implicated Pitabash in two legal cases where the deceased BJP leader is listed as an accused party.

Furthermore, Pintu believes that he was denied an MLA ticket due to Pitabash's influence.

Notably, Pintu Das has a history of criminal activity, with 38 cases against him, and spent approximately four years in prison. Following his release, he maintained contact with BJD leader Bikram Panda.

Once college friends, the relationship between Bikram and Pitabash soured in 2018 when Bikram switched political parties, leaving Pitabash behind, which led to escalating tensions between the two.

Eventually, Pintu and Bikram conspired to eliminate Pitabash, enlisting Malaya Bisoyi and Madan Dalei to carry out the murder using hired assassins from Bihar.

The conspirators reportedly agreed to a payment of Rs 50 lakh for the assassination.

However, the initial plan fell through due to issues with the hired gunmen. Subsequently, they turned to Kurupatti Bhuyan and Chintu Pradhan from the Banthapalli village in Ganjam district, who ultimately carried out the murder on October 6.

The Berhampur SP has announced that efforts are underway to locate three additional suspects, including Uma Bisoyi and Kurupatti, who remain at large.