Bhubaneswar: The Crime Branch on Friday conducted a lie detection test on Om Prakash Rout, an associate of deceased Government Railway Police (GRP) constable Soumya Ranjan Swain, as part of its ongoing investigation into the Balianta mob lynching case.

The test was carried out under tight security at the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) in Bhubaneswar after the investigating agency obtained permission from the court. Om had also given his consent for the examination.

According to sources, a special team prepared more than 50 questions for the test. The examination was conducted in the presence of experts and investigating officers.

The primary objective of the test is to verify the authenticity of the statements made by Om during the investigation, examine whether there are any contradictions in his previous versions, and ascertain whether there was any larger conspiracy behind the incident.

The case relates to the death of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain, who died after being allegedly assaulted by a mob in Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on May 7.

Soumya and Om were travelling on a motorcycle when it collided with a scooter carrying two women. It was alleged that Swain assaulted the women and attempted to rape one of them, following which an enraged crowd attacked him. He later succumbed to his injuries.

The post-mortem report had revealed that Soumya suffered 21 external injuries, with severe trauma to multiple parts of his head leading to blood clotting and swelling in the brain, which was identified as the cause of death. Blood clots were also found in his lungs. Investigators had also sent biological samples for forensic examination to determine whether he had consumed any intoxicating substance before the incident.

Police have registered two separate cases, one relating to the alleged murder of Soumya and another concerning the alleged attempt to rape a woman. Eighteen people have so far been arrested in connection with the mob assault.