Pitabas Panda murder case: Suspicious XUV seized by police in Odisha’s Berhampur

In a major development in the murder case of senior lawyer Pitabas Panda, the Berhampur police seized a suspicious XUV believed to be linked to the crime, on Friday.

Also Read: Advocate Pitabas Panda murder case: CISF jawan among 3 detained by Berhampur police

Investigators also confiscated another vehicle as part of their widening probe into the high-profile killing.

The XUV and a second vehicle were among several cars initially flagged by the police based on CCTV footage and surveillance. Preliminary findings suggest that the XUV might have been near the crime scene on the night of the murder — possibly used by contract killers involved in the attack.

Three suspected persons, including a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawan, have been detained for interrogation. Investigators suspect that one of the seized cars perhaps belong to one of the detained individuals.

A team has been dispatched outside the State to pursue leads, and over 60 CCTV footages are under detailed review. Police have reportedly recovered crucial evidence from mobile call records.

Senior lawyer Pitabas Panda was shot dead near his residence on the night of October 6 in a point-blank attack. While the motive behind the murder remains unclear, police are probing the possible involvement of criminals from outside Odisha.

No comments were received from the Berhampur police in this regard.

Earlier yesterday, the son of the slain advocate had appealed to the Odisha government to ensure that his father’s killers receive the death penalty.

Speaking to the media for the first time since the murder, Saurav Panda, during an interaction with OTV, said his father was known for fighting cases of the poor without charging money and had no personal enmities.

Saurav also confirmed that he had already recorded his statement before the police.