Bhubaneswar: Politically motivated is how the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday termed the arrest of a senior leader of its party in the sensational murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda.
BJD’s Ganjam district president and former Berhampur MLA Bikram Kumar Panda, former BeMC Mayor Siba Sankar Dash and BJD corporator Malay Bisoi are among 12 people, who were arrested and forwarded to court for allegedly plotting and executing the murder of Pitabas Panda with the help of hired shooters on October 6 night.
Addressing a presser at Sankha Bhawan here, BJD vice president Pramila Mallik, senior general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra and media coordinator Lenin Mohanty alleged that Bikram Panda was framed in a conspiracy to shield Gopalpur MLA and state Mining and Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena, who was earlier linked to the murder.
They further alleged that the police have fabricated evidence against Bikram Panda to implicate him in the case.
Mallik highlighted that the law and order situation in the state, particularly in Ganjam, has deteriorated significantly in the 16 months of the BJP rule. “Ganjam tops the state with 152 rape cases and 128 murders. The Gopalpur gang-rape case gained national and international attention. Additionally, 1,823 cases of violence against women have been reported in Ganjam under the BJP rule. Illegal sand smuggling has peaked in the district, leading to several violent incidents. There have been allegations of involvement of Minister Bibhuti Jena in illegal sand trade. Initially, it was speculated that Pitabas Panda’s murder was linked to this illegal activity,” she alleged.
She further mentioned about the letter of former BJP Zilla Parishad member N Damburu Reddy addressed to the Chief Minister, demanding his removal from the Cabinet for a fair probe amid allegations of his involvement in the murder. “The letter had put the BJP government in a tight spot. To divert attention, Bikram Panda was arrested in a dramatic manner. We heard the SP’s briefing — there is absolutely no evidence against Bikram Panda. This is a politically motivated move to intimidate BJD leaders,” she added.
“The BJP, fearing defeat in the upcoming Nuapada Assembly bypoll, is resorting to such cheap tactics to demoralise us,” she added, asserting that the BJD would still win the seat.
Baxipatra alleged the plot to frame Bikram Panda is more sinister than the murder itself. “There is no evidence to link Bikram Panda to the crime. The SP mentioned a supposed Rs 50 lakh deal but provided no money trail to substantiate it. The SP also claimed the legal expenses and advocate fees for pursuing the petition against Berhampur MLA K Anil Kumar in a false affidavit case, were being borne by Bikram Panda, but failed to clarify its relevance to the murder. This clearly shows that the state government orchestrated a conspiracy of false narratives to frame Bikram Panda,” he added.
Mohanty put up a picture of BJP state president Manmohan Samal seated on a chair with Police IG Niti Sekhar standing among party workers, highlighting the sorry state of policing under the BJP rule. “Police are acting in the BJP’s interests. The BJD strongly condemns this and will take to the streets against the framing of the BJD district president. The people of Odisha will give a befitting reply in the coming days,” he added.
The BJP, however, ridiculed BJD’s statement on Berhampur SP’s presser. “The BJD spokesperson’s remarks are immature and inappropriate. Acting as if they were both police and judges undermines civil society. Everyone should cooperate with the ongoing investigation, and criminals must not be shielded,” said BJP state vice-president Jatin Mohanty.