No Mob Lynching Charges Yet in Balianta GRP Constable Death Case: Crime Branch DG

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch on Monday clarified why provisions related to mob lynching have not been invoked so far in the Balianta case involving the death of a Government Railway Police (GRP) constable who was allegedly beaten to death by locals over an attempt to rape allegation.

Addressing the media, Odisha Crime Branch Director General Vinaytosh Mishra said the investigation is still in progress and the evidence collected till now does not support the application of mob lynching sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Mishra stated that under the BNS, mob lynching is defined as an assault carried out by five or more persons on grounds such as caste, religion, sex, language, place of birth, or personal belief. He said no such motive has emerged either in the FIR or during the preliminary investigation.

“Since no such element has surfaced in the case so far, provisions related to mob lynching have not been added. However, if evidence pointing to such motives emerges during the investigation, the relevant sections can be invoked later,” Mishra said.

The Crime Branch DG further informed that investigation teams have visited both the incident site and the local police station. Statements of several persons have been recorded, and investigators are also examining videos related to the incident that circulated widely on social media.

He added that not everyone present at the spot was involved in the assault and that efforts are being made to identify those directly linked to the attack that allegedly led to the constable’s death.

The Crime Branch is currently probing the alleged lynching of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain in Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on May 7.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 11.30 am when two women travelling on a scooter were allegedly hit from behind by a motorcycle ridden by Swain and his associate, Om Prakash Rout. After the women fell on the road, Swain allegedly assaulted them and attempted to rape one of the women.

Following the incident, locals and passersby gathered at the spot and allegedly thrashed Swain to death. Several videos showing the assault later went viral on social media.

So far, police have arrested 11 persons for their alleged involvement in the killing of the 32-year-old constable.

Police have registered two separate cases in connection with the incident — one related to the alleged murder of Swain and another concerning the alleged attempt to rape the woman.