Mob Beats Suspended Railway Policeman To Death In Odisha Over Alleged Sexual Assault

A suspended Government Railway Police constable was beaten to death by a mob near Bhubaneswar on Thursday after he and another man were accused of attacking two women and attempting sexual assault on a roadside stretch in the Balianta area. Another accused suffered serious injuries in the violence, while police have arrested four people in connection with the lynching.

Police identified the deceased as Soumya Ranjan Swain, formerly attached to the Government Railway Police in Cuttack. The injured man was identified as Om Prakash Mohanty. The incident took place near Ramchandrapur bridge on the Hanspal-Nimapara road at around 11.30 am.

According to police, the two men were travelling on a motorcycle when they allegedly intercepted two women riding a scooter. Investigators said the women fell after being pushed, following which the accused allegedly assaulted them. Police added that one of the men also allegedly attempted to sexually assault one of the women.

The women raised an alarm, drawing local residents to the spot. Enraged locals allegedly surrounded the two men and assaulted them brutally before police teams arrived. Both the accused and the women were later taken to hospital, where Swain succumbed to his injuries.

Jagmohan Meena said two FIRs had been registered - one for murder related to the mob attack and another for attempt to rape based on the complaint filed by the women. Police said efforts are underway to identify all those involved in the assault.
The incident triggered a political controversy in Odisha, with Naveen Patnaik condemning the lynching and questioning the state government's handling of law and order. Calling the incident "barbaric", the BJD chief said the violence near the state capital reflected growing concerns over public safety.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered a detailed probe into the case and directed senior police officials to take strict measures to prevent similar incidents. The Chief Minister's Office said four people had been arrested so far and assured strict action against all those responsible.