Bhubaneswar: Odisha State Women’s Commission Chairperson Shobhana Mohanty on Thursday visited the crime scene in Balianta and recorded the statement of the friend of the victim woman who was allegedly involved in the incident that led to the lynching of a youth by a mob following accusations of sexual assault.
After meeting the victim’s friend, Mohanty said both women were stable and assured that a fair investigation would be conducted into the incident.
Director General of Police (DGP) and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) also visited the spot and reviewed the investigation into the death of the youth, identified as GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain, who was allegedly beaten to death by a mob after two women accused him of sexual assault following a motorcycle collision in Balianta area on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Police Mahasangh (Constabulary Association) strongly condemned the incident and demanded a fair probe into the circumstances leading to the constable’s death.
Government Railway Police (GRP) Superintendent of Police Bhabani Shankar Udgata said Soumya had earlier been arrested and jailed in a cheating case involving an alleged false promise of marriage. Proceedings in that case were still underway, he added.
The SP further said departmental action had also been initiated against Soumya for remaining absent from duty since the 25th without informing authorities.
According to police, Soumya had joined the GRP as a constable in 2014. In 2023, he had been deployed at the residence of an IPS officer and worked there for nearly two years. However, he reportedly stopped reporting there from March 23 for reasons yet to be ascertained.
After the IPS officer informed the GRP authorities, Soumya was asked to resume duty and subsequently returned to the Cuttack GRP unit on March 31. Association leaders claimed that he had appeared mentally disturbed and restless since then.
The Odisha Police Constable Association has sought an impartial investigation into the mob violence and the circumstances surrounding Soumya’s death.
