Berhampur, Oct 23: In another development in the high-profile murder case of BJP leader and advocate Pitabas Panda, Berhampur Police took businessman Sunil Hota into custody from Jeypore area in Odisha’s Koraput district for allegedly providing shelter to two of the prime accused in the case.

As per reports, a police team from Berhampur arrested Hota from his residence in Sriramnagar locality in Jeypore. Although the Jeypore Police have not issued an official statement, Koraput Superintendent of Police Rohit Verma confirmed that his department assisted the Berhampur Police in the operation. The Berhampur Police are expected to clarify Hota’s exact involvement after further interrogation.

Investigations revealed that Hota owns a brick kiln and a farmhouse located in Kaliagaon under Jeypore block. Following the murder of Pitabas Panda, accused individuals Kurupati Bhuyan and Uma Bisoyi reportedly fled to Jeypore and stayed at Hota’s farmhouse for four days to evade arrest.

Berhampur SP Dr. Sarvana Vivek M stated in a press conference that Hota was aware of the duo’s involvement in the murder but still chose to shelter them. Notably, Hota is known to be a close associate of former Berhampur MLA Bikram Panda, who is also implicated in the case.

The police are continuing their investigation to determine whether Hota actively assisted the accused in avoiding capture.