Bhubaneswar: The number of arrests in the Balianta lynching case has risen to five, with police continuing their investigation and a manhunt underway for more suspects based on viral video footage of the incident.
As per reports, the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in the Bhingarapur area under Balianta police station limits. Two youths on a motorcycle allegedly collided with a scooter carrying two women, leading to a heated argument. The women accused the youths of attempting to sexually assault them. Local residents rushed to the spot upon hearing the commotion, overpowered the two youths, tied them with bamboo sticks, and brutally assaulted them. One of the victims, Soumya Ranjan Swain (32), a constable with the Government Railway Police (GRP) from the Adaspur area in Cuttack, succumbed to his injuries at Capital Hospital. The second youth, Om Prakash Rout, remains critically injured and is undergoing treatment. Police have recorded Rout’s statement.
Police initially arrested four persons in connection with the lynching and brought them to Balianta Police Station. The number of arrests has now risen to five. Further arrests are expected as investigators examine video footage of the mob assault and identify additional perpetrators.
While the accused were being brought to the station after being tracked down, a scuffle broke out between the mob and police personnel within the premises of Balianta Police Station. Visuals of the confrontation have also surfaced.
According to the Police Commissioner, two separate complaints have been registered at the Balianta Police Station. One FIR was lodged by the father of the deceased youth, Soumya Ranjan Swain, while the second complaint was filed on behalf of the young woman who was allegedly subjected to misbehaviour.
