India, Oct. 22 -- Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA and Ganjam district president Bikram Panda has been arrested along with 11 others, including former Berhampur mayor Siba Shankar Das, for allegedly masterminding the killing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and senior lawyer Pitabas Panda earlier this month.

Police said the murder stemmed from a mix of personal enmity, political rivalry and financial disputes between the two men, once known to be close associates in Berhampur's political circles. The 12 who have been charged with murder, conspiracy under BNSS and Arms Act were produced before a local court on Wednesday.

Pitabash Panda (52), a member of the Odisha Bar Council, was shot dead on October 6 night near his Berhampur res...