India, Oct. 6 -- Former Berhampur legislator Bikram Panda appeared on Tuesday at Gosaninuagaon police station in connection with an allegation of threatening and attempting to influence a witness over the phone from jail.

The development comes as the high-profile murder case involving advocate Pitabas Panda completes one year. Pitabas Panda, a senior lawyer and Bar Council member, was shot dead near his residence in Berhampur on this day last year.

Police had arrested 16 accused in connection with the murder case. Bikram Panda, a BJD leader, was also arrested in the case after being accused of being the alleged main conspirator. He subsequently spent around 10 months and 10 days in jail before being released on conditional bail in conne...