Fresh revelations emerged in the Balianta GRP Constable Soumya Ranjan Swain’s mob lynching case after his friend Om Prakash gave an explosive statement.
He rejected allegations made by two women and claimed that police without uniforms also assaulted Soumya during the incident.
Police detained two more individuals from Benupur village for questioning, adding to the five arrests already made in connection with the case. Investigators continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the brutal killing.
Om Prakash denied accusations of misconduct against the two women but admitted that Soumya had struck them during the altercation. He insisted the women were lying and demanded a thorough investigation. He recounted that Soumya suddenly attacked him, causing their bike to lose balance and collide with a scooter.
According to Om, nearly 70 to 80 people surrounded them, with 10 to 12 individuals beating Soumya. He described how attackers used sticks and bamboo poles, while some police personnel in plain clothes joined the assault. Uniformed officers, he alleged, stood by silently and failed to intervene.
Om criticised the first PCR team that arrived, saying they could have saved Soumya but instead remained passive, only writing notes while the mob continued its attack. He demanded strict punishment for those who took the law into their own hands.
The case has sparked outrage across Odisha, with calls for accountability and justice growing louder.
