Berhampur police have taken four key accused in the murder of lawyer and BJP leader Pitabas Panda on remand for further questioning, as the investigation intensifies into the October 6 shooting.
The accused — Uma Bisoyi, Jogindra Rout, Chintu Pradhan, and Kurupati Bhuyan — were remanded by the SDJM court for two days to allow police to conduct face-to-face interrogations and recover additional evidence.
So far, more than 16 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case and are lodged in Berhampur Jail. Senior officers conducted back-to-back questioning at Baidyanathpur Police Station to verify statements and trace leads in the conspiracy behind Panda’s murder.
In a related development, the court rejected a plea seeking conditional release for lawyer Madan Dalai, who was previously arrested in connection with the case.
Earlier, on November 15, eight accused — Uma Bisoyi, Kurupati Bhuyan, Chintu Pradhan, Jogindra Rout, Sisupal Paswan, Kundan Kumar, Simanchal Nayak, and Bipin Swain — underwent a Test Identification Parade at Berhampur Circle Jail in the presence of a magistrate, police, and prosecution officials.
Investigators are continuing successive remands to compile evidence and finalize the chargesheet in this high-profile case.
