Berhampur: In a major step forward in the high-profile Pitabash Panda murder case, 15 of the 16 accused, including former Berhampur MLA Bikram Panda, were produced before the District Court on Monday for the framing of charges. One accused, Madan Dalei, failed to appear in court owing to health-related issues.
The case, which was earlier being heard by the SDJM court, has now been transferred to the District Court for further proceedings. After the completion of the charge-framing process, the court is expected to decide which court will continue to hear the case as it progresses.
Among those produced were several high-profile accused, including former MLA Bikram Panda and former Berhampur Mayor Pintu Das. The hearing was conducted under tight security arrangements, with Bikram Panda and Pintu Das being brought to the court from Phulbani Jail. The remaining accused were also present, marking a significant moment in the legal proceedings of the case.
The police have submitted a voluminous chargesheet running into 1,666 pages, supported by over 25,000 pages of additional documents. These records form the basis for the framing of charges, a process that is expected to continue over the coming days given the scale and complexity of the case.
The murder case pertains to the killing of Pitabash Panda, who was shot dead at point-blank range by hired assailants on the night of October 6, 2025. The incident occurred barely 100 metres from his residence, sending shockwaves across the region and triggering a prolonged investigation.
With the charge-framing process now underway, the case is set to enter the next phase of legal scrutiny. The District Court is expected to play a pivotal role as it continues to hear submissions and pleas from the accused in what remains one of the most closely watched criminal cases in the state.
