In a major breakthrough in one of Odisha’s most shocking mob violence cases, the Crime Branch has arrested another key accused, pushing the total number of arrests to 19 in the horrific murder of GRP Constable Soumya Ranjan Swain.
The latest arrest was made on Tuesday when Bibhuti Bhushan Parida, a resident of Bidanasi in Cuttack, was taken into custody. With this, the crackdown on those involved in the barbaric attack has intensified further.
The nightmare began on May 7 in the Balianta police station area. What started as a complaint by a woman over a motorcycle accident quickly spiralled into a nightmare. An enraged mob allegedly attacked Constable Soumyaranjan Swain, tied him to a pole, and brutally beat him to death in a shocking display of mob justice.
The gruesome killing sent shockwaves across Odisha, triggering massive public outrage and forcing the Crime Branch to take over the high-profile investigation. So far, 19 people have been arrested. Several accused have already been produced in court, while the hunt continues for those still absconding.
Soumyaranjan’s family has been demanding justice from day one. They have urged authorities to register the case under specific mob violence laws and ensure the harshest possible punishment for all those involved. “We want every accused to be arrested and given strict punishment. The government and police must deliver justice,” family members said.
The Crime Branch is continuing its probe vigorously — interrogating the arrested accused, collecting more evidence, and working to identify and nab the remaining culprits. Police have appealed to the public to maintain peace and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
