​​​​​​​Berhampur, Oct 22: In a significant development in the high-profile murder case of senior lawyer and BJP leader Pitabasa Panda, a total of eight people former BJD MLA Bikram Panda, corporator Malaya Bisoi, former mayor Pintu and Shibasankara Dash have been forwarded to court.

Earlier last night, police detained former BJD MLA Bikram Panda for questioning in connection with the crime.

​​​​​​​According to reports, police have also arrested a sharpshooter named Chintu from Bengaluru, and the firearm used in the crime has been recovered.

Panda, former Berhampur MLA and Ganjam district BJD president, was summoned to the police station on Tuesday for questioning regarding a financial transaction believed to be connected to the case. A special police team questioned him late into the night.

Despite multiple arrests, the case has remained unresolved for weeks. Earlier, Southern Range IG Niti Shekhar had stated that the probe was in its final stages.

Notably, Pitabas Panda, a member of the Odisha State Bar Council, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle near his residence in Brahmanagar, under Baidyanathpur police limits, at around 10 pm on October 6.

He sustained bullet wounds to his chest and was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.