Bhubaneswar: The Crime Branch of Odisha Police on Tuesday arrested the main accused in the daylight brutal murder of a GRP constable at Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar around three weeks ago.
With this, the total number of people arrested by the police in connection with the incident of May 7 has risen to 16. The accused has been identified as Binod Kumar Behera (48), a resident of Satya Nagar in Bhubaneswar. He was apprehended from the Indupur area in Kendrapada district after sustained investigation and collection of evidence.
Crime Branch officials said the arrest was made based on substantial evidence collected during the course of the investigation.
Investigation is continuing on a priority basis, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other persons allegedly involved in the incident. The case relates to the death of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain following a mob attack in Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on May 7.
It was alleged that Swain and his associate Om Prakash Rout were travelling on a motorcycle when they hit a scooter carrying two women from behind. Swain allegedly assaulted the women and attempted to assault one of them, triggering outrage among locals and passersby who gathered at the spot.
The crowd allegedly thrashed Swain severely. He later succumbed to his injuries. Videos of the assault had gone viral on social media.
Police have registered two separate cases in connection with the incident. One case pertains to the alleged murder of Swain, while the other relates to the alleged attempt to rape the woman.