Kataka: Former Brahmapur MLA Bikram Panda has been granted conditional bail by the Orissa High Court in connection with the murder of lawyer Pitabash Panda.
The bail plea of Panda had earlier been rejected by the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Brahmapur. Challenging the lower court’s order, he subsequently approached the High Court seeking bail.
Lawyer Pitabash Panda was shot dead on the night of October 6, 2025, while he was returning home. The incident occurred at around 10 pm near his residence in Brahmapur. He was rushed to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital following the shooting, where doctors declared him dead.
According to the police, Bikram Panda and former Brahmapur Municipal Corporation Mayor Pintu Das were allegedly the main conspirators behind the killing. Police have alleged that the murder was linked to political, personal and financial motives.
The High Court, while considering Panda’s bail plea, has granted him conditional bail in the case.
