Berhampur: Sudarshan Jena, a close associate of former BJD MLA from Berhampur Bikram Panda, surrendered at the Baidyanathpur police station here on Thursday afternoon.
Jena had been absconding following the murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda on October 6 night in which he is said to have played a key role.
This came hours after Sunil Hota, another associate of the BJD leader, was picked up by Berhampur police from Jeypore in Koraput district for allegedly harbouring one of the assailant, Kurupati Bhuyan who is still at large along with Uma Bisoi, an anti-social engaged by the former MLA to arrange for sharp shooters to execute the murder which the latter allegedly plotted with former BeMC Mayor Siba Sankar Dash alias Pintu Das, corporator Malya Bisoi and BJD leader Madan Dalei.
Both Kurupati and Uma stayed at the farmhouse of Hota, and later fled the state.
A total of 12 people, including the three BJD leaders, have so far been arrested in connection with the murder. The others include two sharp shooters from Bihar who were initially hired for the murder, Bipin Swain and Simanchal Nayak, who did the recce and showed the escape route to the shooters from Bihar, and Jogendra Raut, who took care of the logistics on the direction of Uma Bisoi.
Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M confirmed that the absconding accused are under close surveillance and will be apprehended soon. Further investigation is underway to identify and nab other individuals involved in the conspiracy, he added.
The entire murder plot involved a financial deal of Rs 50 lakh with police attributing it to personal, political and business enmity.
Also Read: Pitabas Panda Murder: Election Petition Amid Fight For Political Survival, Key Motive?
Interestingly, Bikram Panda had visited Pitabas Panda’s residence after he was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants, to console the bereaved family. He had also demanded the strictest punishment for the killers of his friend since their days in Youth Congress.
