Bhubaneswar, Oct. 23 -- The investigation into the murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda has intensified, with Berhampur Police continuing its search for three absconding accused even after multiple arrests in the high-profile case.

According to reports, those still on the run have been identified as Kurupati Bhuyan, Uma Bisoyi, and Sudarshan Jena, all of whom are believed to have played key roles in the conspiracy.

As part of the expanding probe, police have detained Sunil Hota, a known associate of the arrested Ganjam BJD president Bikram Panda, from Jeypore in Koraput district.

According to investigators, Hota allegedly provided shelter to sharpshooter Kurupati Bhuyan at his farmhouse soon after the crime. His inter...