Court rejects bail pleas of ex-MLA, 4 others in Pitabas murder case

Berhampur: A local court here on Tuesday rejected the bail pleas of former MLA (Berhampur) and BJD’s Ganjam district president Bikram Kumar Panda and four others, arrested in connection with the murder of a senior advocate Pitabas Panda here, two months ago.Additional district judge (ADJ)-3 B.Goutam rejected the pleas of former mayor (Berhampur) Shiva Shankar Das, advocate Madan Mohan Dalai, Sunya Chandra Das and Sunil Hota, besides the former MLA. The hearing of their bail applications was completed on Friday and the court reserved its decision for Tuesday.The reason for rejection of bails was not known as he is yet to receive the copy of the order, said Kali Charan Mishra, special public prosecutor of the case. Deepak Patnaik, advocate of former MLA and Dalai said they would go to Orissa high court challenging the order of the ADJ court.Police arrested Bikram, Shiva Shankar Das alias Pintu Das and Dalai on Nov 6 after they found their involvement in the sensational murder case which took place on Oct 6 night. Sunya Das and Sunil were arrested later for allegedly giving shelter to shooters, who killed Pitabash, also member of the state Bar council from close range.Two bike-borne miscreants had shot Pitabas from close range near his home at Baikuntha Nagar on Oct 6 night. He was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here by the local people where the doctors declared him dead.Police arrested 16 people, including former MLA and mayor, Berhampur and the shooters, who killed the advocate. While 15 of the accused are housed in the circle jail, the former mayor was shifted to circle jail Phulbani in Kandhamal district on Oct 31 for security reasons.