On October 14 — days after his former friend and BJP leader Pitabash Panda was shot dead by some unknown assailants — former Biju Janata Dal MLA Bikram Panda went to his house to offer his condolences, hands folded in homage. Two weeks later, he was arrested for a murder that was allegedly driven by failed political ambitions, financial setbacks and a lingering 12-year-old case.

On Wednesday, police arrested Bikram Panda, a former MLA from Berhampur, and at least 12 others — including former city mayor Siba Shankar Das — for Pitabash’s killing. Four people – including the main shooter — are believed to be on the run.

A member of the Odisha Bar Council, Pitabash was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants near his Berhampur residence late on October 6, sparking widespread anger over

See Full Page