Bhubaneswar: Former Berhampur MLA Bikram Panda, who was arrested in connection with the murder of senior advocate and BJP member Pitabasa Panda on October 6 last year, walked out of Berhampur sub-jail today after remaining behind bars for over 10 months.
He was released following conditional bail granted by the Orissa High Court on Monday. He walked free after the bail bond was accepted by the lower court in Berhampur. A large number of BJD leaders, workers and supporters gathered outside the jail and gave a rousing welcome to Panda.
Senior leaders including MP Manas Mangraj, vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra, Pratap Jena, Sanjay Dasburma and Chinmaya Sahoo were present among the gathering. After his release, Panda said he was falsely implicated
.”I was falsely implicated in a case. I have no role in the case. I have always been fighting against injustice. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath and wishes of people, I got justice. I am grateful to my leader Naveen Patnaik for his continuous support,” Panda said.
The Orissa High Court on Monday granted him bail citing that police had failed to follow mandatory arrest procedures. Panda was arrested on November 6 last year in the murder case. He had filed his bail petition in the High Court on December 23, 2025. The judgment on his plea was reserved on July 31 this year.
