Bhubaneswar (Special Correspondent, The Fact Bureau): The Odisha Crime Branch on Thursday arrested the main accused in the sensational Balianta murder case involving GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain.
According to a press release issued by the CID-Crime Branch, the accused, identified as Chinu alias Ranjit Patra (24) of Gangeswar village under Sadar police limits in Cuttack district, was arrested based on substantial evidence gathered during the investigation.
The case pertains to the brutal mob assault that took place on May 7 under Balianta Police Station limits in Bhubaneswar’s Bhingarpur-Kaia area. The investigation has been entrusted to the Crime Branch by the Odisha government due to the sensational nature of the incident.
Crime Branch officials said the investigation revealed that the accused allegedly assaulted the deceased constable on the head with a bamboo stick after immobilising him by tying his hands and legs with ropes.
Earlier, another accused, Bunty alias Judhisthira Jena (22), was arrested on May 11 and produced before the court.
With the latest arrest, the total number of accused persons arrested in the case has gone up to 13. Of them, 11 were earlier arrested by the local police before the Crime Branch took over the probe.
The Crime Branch stated that the investigation is continuing on a priority basis and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other persons involved in the mob lynching.
The shocking killing of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain had triggered outrage across Odisha, prompting demands for strict action against all those involved in the incident.
