​​​​​​​Bhubaneswar, October 23: In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the murder of lawyer and BJP leader Pitabash Panda, Sudarshan Jena, one of the key absconding accused, has been arrested by Berhampur police. It is said that Jena, a businessman and an associate of former MLA Bikram Panda, voluntarily turned himself in at the Baidyanathpur Police Station.

This surrender follows the earlier arrest of 12 individuals in connection with the case, who have since been remanded to jail. Additionally, Sunil Hota, a suspect believed to have sheltered two of the accused at his farmhouse in Jeypore and covered their expenses, was taken into custody for questioning. Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M provided this update during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Both Jena and Hota are currently undergoing rigorous interrogation as authorities work to uncover the full scope of the conspiracy. Meanwhile, the police have intensified their search for Kurupati Bhuyan, the primary suspect accused of shooting Pitabash Panda and Uma Bishoyi, who remains at large.

The capturing of Uma Bishoyi is of paramount importance, as his interrogation is expected to reveal critical details of the plot behind Panda’s murder.

The case has sparked considerable public and political attention, with several prominent figures—including former MLA and Ganjam BJD president Bikram Kumar Panda—already arrested and placed in judicial custody.