44 Lawyers to Defend Ex-MLA Bikram Panda in Pitabas Panda Murder Case

Berhampur: In a dramatic development in the high-profile murder case of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda, former BJD legislator Bikram Panda will be represented by a massive legal team of 44 lawyers.

Panda, the Ganjam BJD president, was recently arrested for the brutal killing.The same formidable team of lawyers will also represent his arrested associates, corporator Malay Bishoyi and Madan Dalai.

While their Vakalatnamas are filed, the lawyers are expected to submit fresh bail applications at the District Court today, as the SDJM court recently rejected their previous petitions.

Meanwhile, security concerns have prompted Berhampur Circle Jail authorities to seek court permission to shift another accused, former Berhampur mayor, Siba Shankar Das alias Pintu Das, likely to Kandhamal jail.

Thirteen persons have been arrested so far in this high profile murder case, but the prime accused, Kurupati, who allegedly fired at Panda, and Uma Bishoyi, reportedly a facilitator, remain absconding. Police are intensifying their manhunt to bring all remaining culprits to justice.