Bhubaneswar: A special team from the Odisha Crime Branch on Sunday arrived at Balianta Police Station to take over the investigation into the sensational mob lynching case that claimed the life of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain.

Two special Crime Branch teams begin investigation

According to sources, two separate Crime Branch teams have been deployed for the probe. Around eight senior officers, including investigating officials, are part of the teams conducting the inquiry.

The Crime Branch officials are expected to first collect all case-related documents, evidence, and records of the investigation carried out so far from the Balianta police. The teams will review the progress made in both the murder and attempt-to-rape cases registered in connection with the incident.

Officials are also likely to visit the crime scene in the coming days and interrogate all persons linked to the case as part of the detailed investigation.

Meanwhile, the number of arrests in the Balianta mob lynching case has increased to 11 after the Commissionerate Police arrested six more persons on Saturday. Earlier, five accused had already been taken into custody.

The incident occurred on May 7 near Ramachandrapur under the Balianta police limits, where 32-year-old GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain was allegedly beaten to death by a mob.

Police said the violence erupted after Swain and his associate, Om Prakash Rout, were accused of assaulting two women travelling on a scooter. The survivors alleged that the duo, riding a motorcycle, passed objectionable remarks at them and later rammed their scooter, causing them to fall on the road.

One of the women alleged that after the fall, she was physically assaulted, strangled, hit on the head, and that her clothes were torn. She further claimed that the accused repeatedly tried to drag her.

Following the incident, local residents reportedly gathered at the spot and attacked Swain and Rout. Videos that later surfaced on social media showed Swain tied to an iron bar and brutally assaulted by a group of people.

Swain was first taken to Balakati Community Health Centre and later shifted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where doctors declared him dead. Rout was rescued by police personnel and remains in custody.

Based on the complaint lodged by the two women, police have registered a case of attempt to rape under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A separate murder case has also been filed in connection with the mob lynching incident.