Major Action in Balianta Mob Lynching Case: Several Odisha Cops Faces Suspension, Termination; IIC Transferred

Bhubaneswar (The Fact Bureau): In a significant crackdown following the recent alleged mob lynching incident under the Balianta Police Station jurisdiction, the Twin City (Cuttack-Bhubaneswar) Commissionerate Police on Sunday took stringent disciplinary action against several personnel for dereliction of duty.

According to an official statement released by the DCP Bhubaneswar, a total of six personnel have faced immediate action, including suspensions and termination notices.

Suspension of On-Duty Personnel

The department has suspended four police personnel who were part of the PS vehicle and PCR van teams during the incident:

PS Vehicle Staff:

Three personnel- one Sub-Inspector (SI), one Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), and one Odisha Auxiliary Police Force (OAPF) member- have been placed under suspension.

PCR 42 Vehicle Staff: One Constable has been suspended.

Action Against Home Guards

In addition to the suspensions, the department has moved to terminate the services of two Home Guards. Official notices have been issued to the Home Guard organization to discontinue the services of one HG attached to the PS vehicle and one HG attached to PCR 42.

Top-Level Shakeup at Balianta PS

The fallout of the incident has also led to a leadership change at the Balianta Police Station. Inspector Anil Kumar Parida, the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Balianta P.S., has been removed from his post and attached to the UPD Bhubaneswar Headquarters.

In his place, Inspector Rashmita Behera has been appointed as the new IIC of Balianta P.S. to oversee the station’s operations and the ongoing investigation.

The Commissionerate Police indicated that these actions reflect a “zero tolerance” policy toward negligence in maintaining law and order. Further investigations into the lynching case are currently underway.

Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi had directed stern action against those involved in the crime while reiterating BJP government’s zero tolerance policy.