Bhubaneswar, May 9: The mysterious death of GRP constable Soumya Swain in Balianta has sparked widespread tension and raised serious questions about the circumstances leading to the incident.

According to reports, Soumya was allegedly assaulted by locals near Ramchandrapur Bridge after accusations of misbehaving with two women. The women claimed that Soumya attempted to harass them and used abusive language, while urging his companion to take them away. Their allegations have triggered a storm of questions about Soumya’s conduct and the chain of events that led to his death.

However, Soumya’s friend Om has strongly refuted these charges, stating that the constable neither passed lewd comments nor attempted any sexual assault. Om claimed that the duo had returned to the spot after forgetting a purse, when Soumya suddenly suffered fits and lost balance, causing their bike to collide with a scooter carrying the two women. He alleged that Soumya fell on one of them during the accident, which escalated into a violent confrontation. Om insisted that Soumya was beaten mercilessly despite his attempts to intervene.

Also Read: ‘Had Locals Not Come, We Wouldn’t Survive’, Say Women in Balianta Case

The incident has since snowballed into a major controversy. On Friday, Odisha DGP and the Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission visited the crime spot to review the investigation. Police have so far arrested five individuals, while raids are underway to nab other accused.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has taken serious note of the case, directing the DGP to ensure strict action against all those involved. He emphasized that no one responsible for the crime should be spared.

Soumya’s body was brought to his native village on Friday, where emotional scenes unfolded. Tension gripped the area as locals held police accountable, staging road blockades and demanding justice. His cremation was carried out at the village crematorium amid heavy police deployment to prevent further unrest.

The Balianta murder case has now become a flashpoint, with police intensifying investigations under close monitoring from senior officials. The incident has not only shaken the local community but also raised larger concerns about mob justice and accountability.