Murder in Odisha: Following the murder of BJP leader Pitabash Panda, lawyers across the state have gone on strike. Police have arrested approximately 10 accused in connection with the murder, including the former MLA.

Bikram Panda, former MLA from Berhampur, Odisha, and Ganjam district president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has been arrested on charges of murdering Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and lawyer Pitabash Panda. Odisha police confirmed Bikram Panda's arrest on Wednesday (October 22, 2025). Following the BJD leader's arrest, his supporters staged a strong protest.

The incident occurred earlier this month, late on the night of October 6th, when two bike-borne assailants shot and killed Pitabash near his Berhampur residence. Pitabash was a member of the Bar Council of Odisha. His murder has sparked public outrage over law and order across the state.

Bikram arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy.

Odisha Police announced the investigation into the murder. Police said Bikram Panda was arrested late Tuesday night (October 21, 2025) from his Gajapatinagar residence on charges of criminal conspiracy. Along with Bikram Panda, police also arrested former Berhampur Mayor Shiba Shankar Das, a former corporate officer, and nine others in connection with the case. All the accused were subsequently produced before the local court in Berhampur.

Four accused involved in the murder are still absconding

Four accused in the murder are still at large, including the attacker who attacked Pitabash. Police suspect personal enmity, political ambition, and business disputes are among the motives behind the murder. The investigation also highlights a financial transaction between the former MLA and the deceased. Police have recovered the weapons used in the murder from a seashore near the Ganjam-Puri border.

The accused will be given the harshest punishment – ​​Chief Minister.

The murder of BJP leader Pitabash Panda has also become a challenge for the BJP government in Odisha. The Bar Council of India has demanded that an SIT be formed to investigate the case and that its investigation be completed within a stipulated timeframe. Lawyers across the state are on strike over the case. Following this, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assured that he will ensure that all the accused in the case are punished in a way that will set an example for criminals.