Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday launched a formal probe into the alleged mob lynching of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain in Balianta area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
Following a complaint filed before the rights panel, a two-member team is conducting a detailed inquiry into the incident. The NHRC team, which arrived in Bhubaneswar earlier in the day, is scheduled to stay in Odisha from till June 6 to conduct an extensive probe.
Officials said the team is slated to examine several aspects of the case, including the circumstances that led to the violence, the response of law enforcement agencies, and allegations of negligence by the police.
As part of the probe, notices have been issued to senior police officials, including the Twin City Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and Home Department OSD Dayal Gangwar, directing them to appear before the Commission.
The Commission is also expected to record statements from witnesses, family members of the deceased Soumya Ranjan, and other individuals connected to the case. Investigators are likely to scrutinise viral social media videos related to the fatal incident, statements made by the victim constable, if available on record, and accounts provided by eyewitnesses.
Sources indicate that the NHRC team may also examine whether any lapses or delays on the part of the police contributed to the escalation of the situation.
As part of the probe, former Inspector In-Charge of Balianta Police Station, Anil Kumar Parida appeared before the NHRC team. Following the controversy triggered by the daylight murder last month, Parida was transferred and assigned to the office of the Police Commissioner.
The Commission’s findings are expected to shed light on the sequence of events, the role of police authorities, and whether any human rights violations occurred during or after the incident.
