Bhubaneswar, Oct. 24 -- In a major development in the senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda murder case, as many as 44 lawyers will represent former BJD legislator and Ganjam BJD president Bikram Panda in the court. Panda was recently arrested in connection with the brutal murder case.

According to sources, the same team of lawyers will also represent his associates, corporator Malay Bishoyi and Madan Dalai. While Vakalatnamas have been filed, bail applications for the accused are expected to be submitted today, sources added.

Bikram Panda and his associates are lodged in jail after the SDJM court rejected their bail petition a couple of days ago. So the lawyers are expected to file the bail petition again at the District Court, ...