The investigation into the high-profile murder of GRP Constable Soumya Ranjan Swain in Balianta, on the outskirts of the capital city, has taken a critical turn.
Following the completion of the polygraph (lie detector) test of the deceased constable’s friend, the Odisha Crime Branch is now preparing to subject the two women involved in the incident to the same test.
The tragic incident unfolded on May 7 near the Ramachandrapur Bridge in Balianta. Soumya and his friend, Om Prakash, arrived on a motorcycle while two young women were riding a scooter. Following allegations of a vehicle collision and subsequent molestation, a localised crowd attacked Soumya, beating him severely. Soumya’s family immediately termed the incident a deliberate conspiracy rather than an impromptu altercation, prompting intense public outcry across the state.
During the initial probe, inconsistent statements raised suspicion around Soumya’s friend, Om Prakash. With court approval and his consent, the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) conducted a polygraph test under tight security. The newly submitted test report confirms that Om Prakash’s statements align with the scientific test findings, validating his account and giving investigators a solid foundation as they prepare the charge sheet.
Building on this progress, the Crime Branch is shifting focus to the two young women who claimed to be the victims of the initial altercation. Soumya’s family has repeatedly demanded that the women’s testimonies be thoroughly vetted to uncover whether a larger conspiracy was at play.
Key Investigation Details:
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Arrests & Warrants: Around 20 accused persons have been arrested so far. The Crime Branch is preparing to move the court for warrants against remaining absconding suspects.
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Autopsy Findings: The post-mortem report detailed 21 severe injuries across Soumya’s body, identifying severe brain trauma as the primary cause of death.
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Next Steps: Scientific testing of the statements of the two women is expected to yield definitive clarity on the motives and circumstances surrounding the lynch-mob attack.
Crime Branch officials maintain that leveraging advanced forensic methodologies will ensure an airtight investigation before finalising the case deliverables in court.
