Bhubaneswar, May 8: Police arrested six persons in connection with the brutal assault and death of a youth near the Ramachandrapur Bridge under Balianta Police Station limits on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Thursday afternoon. Police are also questioning several other individuals and more arrests are likely in the coming days based on viral videos of the incident.

The deceased was identified as Soumya Ranjan Swain, while another injured youth, Om Prakash Rout, remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment. Soumya’s post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted on Friday.

According to police and local sources, the incident took place in the Bhingarpur area when two youths travelling on a motorcycle allegedly collided with a scooter carrying two women. An argument reportedly broke out between the two groups following the collision.

The women later alleged that the youths attempted to sexually assault and misbehave with them. They reportedly raised an alarm and also contacted the emergency helpline 112 seeking help.

Hearing the commotion and cries for help, local residents rushed to the spot. The crowd allegedly overpowered the two youths, tied their hands and legs with bamboo sticks, and brutally assaulted them in broad daylight.

Both injured youths were later rushed to Capital Hospital in critical condition. However, Soumya Ranjan Swain succumbed to his injuries during treatment, while Om Prakash Rout continues to battle for life.

Police said the accused persons were identified primarily on the basis of videos of the assault that later went viral on social media. Several suspects have been detained and interrogated at the police station, while six persons have so far been arrested in connection with the case.

Senior police officials confirmed that the two women lodged a written complaint alleging that the youths tried to run them over with their motorcycle and misbehaved with them.

Also Read: Mob Thrash ‘Eve-Teasers’ To Death In Police Presence Raises Eyebrows

A murder case was registered at Balianta police station and an investigation is underway. Police said preliminary investigation has not yet found any evidence of prior enmity between the parties involved.

Meanwhile, a relative of the deceased questioned how a mob could beat a man to death in broad daylight merely over allegations of misconduct and demanded a thorough investigation into whether there were any other reasons behind the attack.

Earlier reports from the locality also claimed that one of the youths was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, though police said the matter is still being verified.