Berhampur: A fortnight after the high-profile murder of senior lawyer and BJP leader Pitabas Panda, Odisha Police on Tuesday said that probe in the case has reached its final stage and all details will be revealed in a day or two.
Stating that substantial progress has been made in the probe, Inspector General of Police (Southern Range) Niti Shekhar told reporters that that the findings will be made public in a day or two.
“The investigation in the case has reached its last leg and all details will be shared by the SP within a day or two. Everything will be revealed very soon,” he said.
As per sources, police have detained ten people and are interrogating them in connection with the murder that took place in Berhampur on October 6. Police have pieced together all clues and key evidence they have gathered so far in the case.
The process of finalising interrogation reports is now underway before making formal arrests. The case file is stated to be in its final stage, with multiple agencies coordinating across several states to verify leads before achieving the final breakthrough.
Police are yet to share the identities and motives of those involved in the killing of Panda, who was shot dead near his residence in Kamapalli area of Berhampur city on October 6.
A senior advocate and BJP leader, Panda succumbed to injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital.
Notably, the Berhampur Police picked up a local politician on Monday for questioning in connection with the murder. The individual reportedly has several prior cases registered against him.
A corporator and a student leader were also interrogated by the police earlier. Many of those under scrutiny are believed to have criminal backgrounds or known affiliations with local political networks.
Investigation in the sensational case has expanded beyond Odisha, covering Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, and Andhra Pradesh, where investigators suspect the involvement of professional shooters and facilitators.
Two persons from Bihar, one believed to be the sharpshooter and the other a reconnaissance operative, were recently brought to Berhampur for questioning.