Odisha Crime Branch arrests 18th accused in GRP constable lynching case
Synopsis
Eighteen people are now accused in the mob lynching of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain in Balianta on 7 May — and the Crime Branch isn't done. The latest arrest, backed by video evidence placing the accused at the scene, comes as an NHRC team investigates human rights violations in the case, raising uncomfortable questions about mob justice and police response time.
Key Takeaways
Pradeep Mangaraj alias Dipu , 46 , was arrested from Dhenkanal district late Monday night by the Odisha Crime Branch .
Total accused in the Soumya Ranjan Swain mob lynching case now stands at 18 , of whom 11 were earlier arrested by Balianta Police.
Video analysis reportedly confirms Dipu's direct involvement in the assault on the GRP constable.
GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain was beaten to death on 7 May in Balianta, Bhubaneswar , after a mob accused him of sexual harassment following a road collision.
A National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team is currently in Odisha probing human rights violations in the case.
The Crime Branch of Odisha Police arrested another prime accused in the mob lynching of Government Railway Police (GRP) constable Soumya Ranjan Swain on 2 June, bringing the total number of accused to 18 in the case that shocked the state. Swain was beaten to death by a mob in the Balianta area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on 7 May, allegedly over accusations of sexual harassment of a woman.
Who Was Arrested
The latest accused was identified as Pradeep Mangaraj alias Dipu, 46, a resident of Benupur village under Balianta Police limits in Bhubaneswar. Crime Branch sleuths apprehended him late Monday night from a hideout in Dhenkanal district, where he had been evading arrest by moving between multiple locations.
'He had been hiding at different places to evade arrest. Following the receipt of reliable information, we arrested him from his hideout in Dhenkanal district. His active involvement in the Soumya murder case is established through video analysis. He was seen assaulting Soumya in the video,' a senior Crime Branch official told reporters on Tuesday.
How the Lynching Unfolded
On 7 May, constable Soumya Ranjan Swain and his friend Om Prakash Rout were travelling towards Bhubaneswar when their motorcycle allegedly collided with a scooter carrying two girls in the Bhingarpur-Kaja area under Balianta Police limits. One of the girls accused Swain of attempting to sexually assault her, following which local villagers — alerted by her screams — rushed to the spot and assaulted both men.
Police subsequently rescued the duo and shifted them to hospital, where Swain was declared dead. Rout survived. The alleged sexual assault accusation that triggered the mob attack remains under investigation.
Scale of the Investigation
Of the 18 accused identified so far, 11 were earlier arrested by the Balianta Police. The Crime Branch took over the investigation and has since been tracking the remaining accused. The arrest of Pradeep Mangaraj marks a significant step, as video footage reportedly places him directly among those who assaulted Swain.
NHRC Probe Under Way
A team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is currently in Odisha investigating allegations of human rights violations in connection with the lynching case. The NHRC's involvement signals the national gravity of the incident, which has drawn scrutiny over both mob violence and the adequacy of the initial police response.
With the investigation ongoing and several accused still at large, authorities have indicated that further arrests are expected as the Crime Branch continues to analyse video evidence and trace remaining suspects.
Point of View
Not conviction. That a uniformed police constable could be beaten to death in broad daylight — with the violence captured on video — points to a breakdown that goes beyond individual culpability. The NHRC's presence in Odisha is a tacit acknowledgement that the state's initial response fell short. With 18 accused now identified largely through video evidence, the investigation is methodical; the harder question is why the mob was not stopped before it turned fatal.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pradeep Mangaraj alias Dipu and why was he arrested?
Pradeep Mangaraj alias Dipu, 46, is a resident of Benupur village in Bhubaneswar and is accused of directly assaulting GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain during the mob lynching on 7 May. He was arrested by the Odisha Crime Branch from a hideout in Dhenkanal district after evading capture for weeks; video footage reportedly places him among those who attacked Swain.
What happened to GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain on 7 May?
Soumya Ranjan Swain was beaten to death by a mob in the Balianta area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on 7 May after one of two girls alleged he had attempted to sexually assault her following a road collision. Police rescued him and his companion Om Prakash Rout, but Swain was declared dead at hospital.
How many people have been arrested in the Balianta lynching case so far?
A total of 18 people have been identified as accused, of whom 11 were arrested earlier by the Balianta Police and the latest — Pradeep Mangaraj — was apprehended by the Crime Branch on 2 June. Investigations are continuing and further arrests have not been ruled out.
What is the NHRC doing in the Balianta lynching case?
A team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is currently in Odisha to investigate allegations of human rights violations in connection with the mob lynching. The NHRC's involvement reflects concern at the national level over both the nature of the violence and the adequacy of the state's response.
What evidence is the Crime Branch using to identify and arrest accused persons?
The Crime Branch has relied significantly on video analysis to establish the involvement of accused individuals; officials confirmed that Pradeep Mangaraj was identified and linked to the assault through footage showing him attacking Swain. This approach has been central to identifying suspects beyond those initially detained by local police.
