Bhubaneswar: In a significant development in the Balianta mob lynching case, the victim woman today alleged that she and her friend were assaulted by two men before locals intervened and rescued them. The matter pertains to the alleged killing of 32-year-old Government Railway Police (GRP) constable Soumya Ranjan Swain near Ramachandrapur in the Balianta area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar city on May 7.

Narrating the sequence of events, the woman claimed that she and her female friend were travelling on a scooter when two motorcycle-borne men made objectionable comments at them. She said that the men later overtook their scooter, came back again and deliberately rammed into their vehicle, causing them to fall on the road.

After they fell, the accused allegedly assaulted her, she said. The woman further alleged that one of the men hit her on the head, strangled her and tore her dress. According to her, the accused repeatedly tried to drag her into a room.

The victim said that locals came to their rescue. “Had people not arrived there, we might not have survived. The locals are not at fault,” she said, while also urging police to release those arrested in connection with the mob attack.

The incident has triggered widespread outrage across Odisha. As per allegations, Swain, along with his friend Om Prakash Rout, had chased the women on a motorcycle and rammed their scooter following an argument.

Police said Swain was later caught by locals and brutally assaulted by a mob in full public view. Videos of the assault circulated widely on social media, showing Swain tied to an iron bar and beaten repeatedly. He was shifted first to Balakati Community Health Centre and later to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Based on the complaint filed by the two women, police registered a case of attempt to rape against the deceased under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A separate murder case has also been registered over the mob lynching.

Meanwhile, Odisha State Commission for Women Chairperson Shovana Mohanty today visited the incident site and reviewed the situation. She said an impartial investigation would be conducted and assured strict action against those found guilty.

Mohanty said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed authorities to ensure stringent action in the case.

Odisha Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania and Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena also visited the site to review the ongoing investigation.

Police have so far detained four persons in connection with the lynching, while raids are continuing to identify and arrest others involved using video footage and evidence collected from the scene.

Family members of the deceased constable have alleged that Swain was beaten to death in the presence of police personnel. However, DCP Meena maintained that PCR and local police teams rescued the two men from the mob and shifted them to the hospital.