Overview
- Former BJD MLA Bikram Panda and former Berhampur mayor Siba Shankar Das were among 12 arrested, produced in court, denied bail, and sent to 14-day judicial custody.
- Investigators allege the duo led the conspiracy and hired contract killers under a ₹50 lakh deal, with ₹10 lakh reportedly paid to the gunman.
- The country-made pistol used in the shooting was recovered from a beach near the Ganjam–Puri border, with phone records and CCTV cited as key evidence.
- Police say earlier attempts were aborted after reconnaissance involving out-of-state shooters, while several accused, including alleged shooter Kurupati Bhuyan, remain at large.
- The arrests triggered protests and a political dispute, as BJD leaders alleged vendetta and state ministers defended the probe, following calls from the Bar Council for a rigorous, time-bound investigation.