Berhampur, Odisha — In the coastal town once known for its calm and culture, the shocking murder of a prominent lawyer has set off a political storm that refuses to die down. At the heart of this turmoil stands Bikram Panda, a man whose journey from a tireless Congress worker to a victorious Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA once symbolized political resilience — and who now finds himself behind bars, accused of orchestrating a brutal killing.
The victim, Pitabash Panda, was not just any lawyer. A respected member of the Odisha Bar Council and a rising BJP leader, Pitabash was well-known for his sharp intellect and fearless advocacy.
For years, he and Bikram shared more than a surname — they shared friendship, ambition, and a shared dream for Berhampur’s future.
But power changes equations.
When Bikram switched allegiance from the Congress to the Biju Janata Dal in 2018, along with former Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu, it marked a new chapter in his political life — and the beginning of a rift that would slowly turn deadly.
Once close companions were now rivals divided by party lines, business interests, and political ambition.
Bikram’s career had been one of persistence against defeat. After four unsuccessful attempts to win the Berhampur Assembly seat in 2000, 2004, 2009, and 2014, he finally tasted victory in 2019 as a BJD candidate.
But the euphoria was short-lived. In 2024, he shifted to the Gopalpur constituency, only to face a stinging loss to the BJP’s Bibhuti Bhusan Jena.
It was after that defeat that cracks between Bikram and Pitabash widened. Behind the smiling photos and polite public exchanges, police now allege, simmered resentment — fed by personal rivalry, financial disputes, and political betrayal.
On the night of October 6, Berhampur’s peace was shattered when two masked men on a motorcycle gunned down Pitabash Panda near his residence.
The lawyer collapsed before help could arrive. The audacity of the attack — swift, cold, and calculated — left the city stunned.
In the days that followed, outrage swept through Odisha. Lawyers across the state observed a pen-down strike, demanding justice.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) itself stepped in, calling for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case in a time-bound manner.
As investigators pieced together the threads, attention turned to Bikram Panda. Police claimed to have found evidence linking him to a financial transaction with the victim and suspected that business losses and political jealousy formed the motive.
The weapon used in the killing — a handgun — was later recovered from a beach along the Ganjam–Puri border, reportedly thrown there in haste after the crime.
Late on Tuesday night, the former MLA was arrested at his Gajapatinagar residence, charged with criminal conspiracy.
Alongside him, former Berhampur mayor Siba Shankar Das, a former corporator, and nine others were taken into custody. Four suspects, including the two alleged shooters, are still at large.
The arrest sent shockwaves through political circles. Supporters of Bikram Panda, convinced that their leader was being framed, gheraoed the SP’s office, shouting slogans of “political vendetta.”
Heavy police deployment now blankets Berhampur, as authorities brace for unrest.
For Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the case has become a test of his government’s resolve.
“Those found guilty will face exemplary punishment,” he vowed, as the opposition accused the administration of politicizing the probe.
Meanwhile, Berhampur waits — its people torn between disbelief and outrage. How could two friends who once dreamed of transforming their city end up as adversaries in a tragedy soaked in blood and betrayal?
As the investigation deepens, one truth remains clear — the story of Bikram Panda and Pitabash Panda is no longer just a political saga.
It’s a haunting reminder of how power, ego, and ambition can turn even the closest bonds into mortal enmity.
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