Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Ex-BJD MLA Bikram Panda Released After Conditional Bail
Bikram Kumar Panda, a former politician, was released from jail after spending more than 10 months there.
He is accused of being involved in the killing of lawyer Pitabas Panda.
The lawyer was shot near his home by two people riding a motorcycle.
Doctors declared him dead after he was taken to a hospital.
Panda was arrested with 15 other people in connection with the case.
The Orissa High Court later gave him conditional bail.
Members of his political party welcomed him outside the jail.
Panda said he trusted the judiciary, but the reports do not say that the trial has ended or that he was found guilty.
Former BJD MLA Bikram Kumar Panda was released from Berhampur circle jail after more than 10 months in custody.
The Orissa High Court granted Panda conditional bail on Monday, officials said.
Panda was arrested on November 6 along with 15 others over their alleged involvement in the murder of senior advocate Pitabas Panda.
Police said two motorcycle-borne attackers shot Pitabas Panda near his home in Baikuntha Nagar on October 6, 2025.
Several BJD leaders welcomed Panda outside the jail, where he said he had faith in the judiciary.
- Who
- Former BJD MLA Bikram Kumar Panda was released; senior advocate Pitabas Panda was the murder victim.
- What
- Panda was released on conditional bail after spending more than 10 months in jail in an alleged murder case.
- When
- He was released on Tuesday after the High Court granted bail on Monday; the reported killing occurred on October 6, 2025.
- Where
- Panda was released from Berhampur circle jail in Odisha; the shooting occurred in Baikuntha Nagar under Baidyanathpur police station limits.
- Why
- Panda was arrested over alleged involvement in the murder of senior advocate Pitabas Panda, who was also an active BJP member.
Prosecution Allegations
Bail and Defense Position
Alleged involvement in the killing
Prosecution Allegations
Authorities allege that Bikram Kumar Panda and 15 others were involved in the murder of senior advocate Pitabas Panda.
Bail and Defense Position
Panda was granted conditional bail and said he had faith in the judiciary; the reports do not state that he admitted involvement or was convicted.
Meaning of the release
Prosecution Allegations
The allegations concerning the murder remain the basis of the criminal case described in the reports.
Bail and Defense Position
The Orissa High Court’s conditional bail order allowed Panda to leave jail while the case remains unresolved.
- Accused
- Bikram Kumar Panda, former BJD MLA
- Victim
- Pitabas Panda, senior advocate and active BJP member
- Arrest
- November 6, along with 15 others
- Bail
- Conditional bail granted by the Orissa High Court
- Time in custody
- More than 10 months
- Shooting date
- October 6, 2025
- Release location
- Berhampur circle jail, Odisha
