BJD’s Ganjam district president Bikram Kumar Panda and former Berhampur mayor Siba Shankar Dash were among 12 arrested in connection with the murder of senior advocate Pitabash Panda. The killing, stemming from political and financial enmity involving a ₹50 lakh deal, was allegedly orchestrated by the arrested leaders. Police seized firearms and are searching for three absconding suspects.
