Berhampur, Dec 16:The Additional District and Sessions Judge–III court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of five accused in the high-profile murder case of advocate Pitabas Panda. Those denied bail include former MLA Bikram Kumar Panda, former mayor Shiv Shankar Dash alias Pintu, advocate Madan Mohan Dalai, Sunil Hota, and Shunya Das.

The court had heard arguments on the bail pleas on the 12th of this month and had reserved its order after the hearing concluded. Earlier, on the 9th, the police had submitted the case diary to the court.

Advocate Pitabas Panda was shot dead on October 6. In connection with the case, the police have so far arrested 16 persons, of whom five had moved the court seeking bail.

Senior advocates Manas Chand, Deepak Pattnaik, Kumar Kanta Behera, and Kailash Panda appeared for the accused, while the prosecution was represented by Special Public Prosecutor Kalicharan Mishra, along with Abhinash Padhi and Public Prosecutor Biswajit Baral.

According to the police case diary, two additional cases have been registered against accused Bikram Panda. The police also informed the court that Bikram Panda allegedly threatened the family members of the deceased from inside jail, leading to strong arguments between the defence and the prosecution during the hearing.

After considering the submissions of both sides, the court rejected the bail applications of all five accused.