Odisha Police arrests five for lynching GRP constable

Five people have been arrested in connection with the lynching of a Government Railway Police (GRP) constable, who was accused of molesting two women on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, the police said on Friday (May 8, 2026).

Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh said CCTV footage, video recordings of the attack, and eyewitness statements are being thoroughly examined to identify and bring all those involved to justice.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena said five suspects have been arrested, and special teams have been formed to track down others linked to the incident.

The constable, identified as 32-year-old Soumya Ranjan Swain, was riding a motorcycle with an acquaintance near Bingharpur under the Balianta police limits on Thursday (May 7, 2026) forenoon. According to area residents, the men overtook two women who were on a scooter. Locals alleged that the men tried to molest the women after they fell off their two-wheeler.

Soon, other passers-by gathered at the spot. Tension escalated after the constable and his acquaintance denied the allegations and argued with the crowd, following which the residents beat up the two men. While Swain’s associate managed to escape, the mob continued to assault the GRP constable. Swain was rushed to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The constable’s lynching in broad daylight and allegedly in the presence of police personnel triggered wider condemnation.

Expressing anguish over the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure strict action against culprits.

Mr. Majhi asked the police administration to remain vigilant and ensure that such incidents of mob killing do not recur. State Women’s Commission Chairperson Shobhna Mohanty was also requested to discuss the issue with the women involved in the incident. One of the women had filed a police complaint accusing Swain of trying to rape her.

Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik also expressed concern over the incident, describing the lynching as “utterly barbaric”.

“Even as such a heinous event unfolds near the State capital, the government’s inexplicable silence is shocking the people. If such incidents are occurring in the presence of police, to whom will people turn for protection? Why is the police administration and the government so helpless before criminals?” remarked the Biju Janta Dal chief. Later, on Friday (May 8, 2026), his party staged a demonstration over “deteriorating law and order” in the State.