Key accused held in Balianta mob lynching case, total climbs to 18

Bhubaneswar: The crime branch on Tuesday arrested a key accused in connection with the mob lynching of railway constable Soumya Ranjan Swain (32) in Balianta on May 7, even as the NHRC continued its probe into the case for the second consecutive day.The accused, Pradeep Mangaraj (46), a resident of Benupur in Balianta area, was taken into custody from his relative’s place in Dhenkanal district. With his arrest, the total number of people held in connection with the case has risen to 18. While Balianta police had earlier arrested 11 men, the crime branch has arrested seven.According to officials, Mangaraj was present near a betel shop when he noticed a crowd gathered on the roadside. On hearing that Swain had allegedly attempted to rape a 22-year-old woman in broad daylight, Mangaraj joined the mob and assaulted the constable.“We have clear evidence against him after analysing video footage. He was seen hitting the victim on his head and face repeatedly. He had been absconding,” a crime branch official said, clarifying that Mangaraj did not know Swain. “We are tracking more suspects. Everyone involved will be arrested,” the official added.Crime branch SP Anirudha Routray said all relevant details have been shared with the NHRC team. “We briefed them on the progress of our investigation and assured them that all those responsible for this heinous crime will be brought to justice,” Routray said.The NHRC team, which began its inquiry on Monday, has so far recorded testimonies of at least 20 people, including former inspector in-charge of Balianta police station, Anil Kumar Parida. On Tuesday, some of Swain’s colleagues and senior officers of govt railway police also deposed before the team.The NHRC team inspected the crime scene and interacted with the woman who had accused Swain of attempted rape. They are also scheduled to record statements of Swain’s parents.