Chargesheet Reveals Alleged Blackmail Angle in Murder of Advocate Pitabas Panda

Bhubaneswar: The investigation into the murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda has taken a significant turn, with the police chargesheet pointing to an alleged blackmail motive behind the crime.

According to the chargesheet filed by investigators, Panda was allegedly in possession of certain objectionable photographs and was accused of using them to blackmail former BJD MLA Bikram Panda, threatening to make them public. Police claim that this alleged blackmail formed the basis of the conspiracy that led to his murder.

Investigators reportedly recovered a pen drive said to contain the photographs. The device was allegedly found inside a secret chamber linked to the deceased advocate. Police documents suggest that the material stored in the pen drive was central to the alleged pressure tactics.

Meanwhile, counsel representing Bikram Panda has stated that a key piece of evidence in the case was a key recovered during the probe. The key was reportedly used to open a concealed chamber at a residence, in the presence of Bikram Panda’s wife, Sushmita Panda. Investigators are said to have found a pen drive with purportedly compromising images inside that chamber.

However, questions have been raised as the pen drive, described as an important piece of evidence in the chargesheet, has reportedly not yet been produced before the court.

The case continues to be under legal scrutiny, and further developments are expected as court proceedings progress.