Failed attempt, local killers, Rs 50 lakh deal: Berhampur SP reveals how Pitabas Panda was murdered

Berhampur: In a major breakthrough in the sensational Pitabas Panda murder case, Berhampur police have revealed the full timeline and conspiracy behind the killing of the senior advocate and BJP leader, who was shot dead under Baidyanath police limits on the night of October 6, during the Kumar Purnima festival.

According to Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M, investigations show that the crime was meticulously planned due to a mix of political and personal rivalry, involving multiple suspects, some with close ties to former politicians.

According to Berhampur SP, six senior police teams were formed to investigate the case immediately after an FIR was lodged. The investigation revealed that a team from Bihar visited Berhampur between September 10 and 14 to surveil Panda’s movements and plan his elimination. The team was reportedly brought to Berhampur by anti-socials Uma Bisoi and Jogi alias Joginder Raut, with Simanchal Nayak engaged as a liaison.

Four individuals following instructions from Uma and Jogi stayed in a rented house in Alkapuri. The landlord, Soumya Das, was misled by Malay Bisoi, who claimed they were in town for medical treatment. Two of the visitors were from Bihar, which raised Soumya’s suspicion, but the group falsely claimed they were being treated at MKCG Hospital.

The team had initially planned to execute the murder on September 14, with a deal of Rs 10 lakh struck and an advance payment made. However, the plan was aborted when one of the youths from Bihar faced a personal emergency, as his wife suffered a miscarriage and he had to return immediately to Bihar.

Following the aborted attempt, Uma Bisoi assembled a second team consisting of local youths Kurupati Bhuyan and Chintu Pradhan, with Chintu traveling from Bangalore. They were accommodated at a private bachelors’ facility just 200 meters from Panda’s residence and began reconnoitring Panda’s movements.

The shooters were promised Rs 5 lakh for firing and Rs 3 lakh for driving. Kurupati Bhuyan was assigned to fire the shots, while Chintu would drive the motorcycle.

A day before the murder, the duo moved to an abandoned under-construction building in Alkapuri, where they were given two guns, a vehicle, new clothes, and shoes. On the night of October 6 at 10:01 pm, as Panda arrived, the attackers first greeted him and then opened fire. Kurupati Bhuyan shot at Panda while Chintu drove the motorcycle.

After the attack, the perpetrators fled via Mausi Maa Mandir and All India Radio routes, changed their clothes, shoes, and helmets at Stilapalli, buried the firearms, and reached the NH route via Purushottampur, abandoning the vehicle near a tea stall close to Rameswaram.

Chintu returned to Bangalore by train, while Kurupati moved to Puri and later to Jeypore, where Sunil Hota, an associate of former MLA Bikram Panda, sheltered him for four days before sending him out of state.

Investigations revealed that the total deal for Panda’s murder was Rs 50 lakh, with Rs 10 lakh advance paid by Malay Bisoi to Uma Bisoi. Uma and Kurupati Bhuyan still remain at large.

The probe also revealed the involvement of former Berhampur Mayor Siba Shankar Das (Pintu Das), whose aide Shanti Mishra had been murdered in 2013. Pitabas Panda was representing the accused in that case.

The police said the conspiracy had both political and personal dimensions, as Bikram Panda, Pintu Das, Madan Dalai, and Malay Bisoi allegedly feared that Panda’s presence would hinder their political careers.

Pintu Das had previously lodged an FIR against Panda in an attempt-to-murder case following earlier assassination attempts. Investigators highlighted that Panda’s murder was planned meticulously over weeks with detailed surveillance, reconnaissance, and multiple teams executing the crime.

So far, 12 accused have been arrested and forwarded to court. Police have also seized the guns used in the murder. Technical evidence connected Pintu Das to the crime, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend remaining conspirators, including Uma Bisoi and Kurupati.

SP Saravana Vivek stated that, “This case reflects a well-orchestrated and pre-meditated plot driven by political rivalry and personal enmity. We are committed to identifying all involved and ensuring justice is served.”