Archive · 5 Jan 2026
Odisha Police Files Chargesheet in BJP Leader's Murder Case
The Odisha Police have filed a 1,660-page preliminary chargesheet in the murder case of BJP leader and senior advocate Pitabash Panda.
The incident occurred on October 6, 2025, near his residence in Baikuntha Nagar, Berhampur.
Two men on a motorcycle shot him, and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The chargesheet names 16 accused, including a former MLA and a former mayor, who are alleged to have conspired to carry out the murder.
The police have collected evidence, including witness statements and CCTV footage, and have pressed charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, and other offenses.
The investigation is ongoing, and more names may be added in supplementary chargesheets.
Odisha Police filed a 1,660-page preliminary chargesheet in the murder case of BJP leader Pitabash Panda.
The chargesheet names 16 accused, including former MLA Bikram Kumar Panda and former mayor Siva Shankar Das.
The incident occurred on October 6, 2025, near Panda's residence in Baikuntha Nagar, Berhampur.
Charges pressed include murder, criminal conspiracy, organised crime, and violations under the Arms Act.
The investigation is ongoing, with potential for supplementary chargesheets to include more accused.
- Who
- Pitabash Panda (BJP leader and senior advocate)
- What
- Murder case chargesheet filed by Odisha Police
- When
- January 4, 2026 (chargesheet filed), October 6, 2025 (incident)
- Where
- Baikuntha Nagar, Berhampur, Odisha
- Why
- Political, financial, and business enmity
Karnataka Police
Karnataka High Court
Organized Crime Charges
Karnataka Police
The Karnataka Police argue that the Karnataka High Court's decision to drop organized crime charges against BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj is flawed. They believe the charges were properly invoked based on the involvement of a key accused in multiple serious crimes.
Karnataka High Court
The Karnataka High Court ruled that the charges under the Karnataka Control of Organized Crime Act (KCOCA) were improperly applied, as the involvement of the accused in multiple cognizable offenses was not sufficiently established.
- Victim
- Pitabash Panda (BJP leader and senior advocate)
- Date of Incident
- October 6, 2025
- Location
- Baikuntha Nagar, Berhampur, Odisha
- Chargesheet Length
- 1,660 pages
- Number of Accused
- 16
- Key Accused
- Bikram Kumar Panda (former MLA), Siva Shankar Das (former mayor)
- Charges Pressed
- Murder, criminal conspiracy, organised crime, destruction of evidence, harbouring offenders, Arms Act violations
- Investigation Status
- Ongoing, with potential for supplementary chargesheets
