Now Reading: Balianta lynching: victim on drugs, 6 bailed, 11 chargesheeted
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Balianta lynching: victim on drugs, 6 bailed, 11 chargesheeted
Six of the 20 arrested in the Balianta lynching of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain have been granted bail. The Odisha Crime Branch's chargesheet named 11 accused, while nine others were not…
The Story in Brief
Six of the 20 arrested in the Balianta lynching of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain have been granted bail. The Odisha Crime Branch's chargesheet named 11 accused, while nine others were not charged due to lack of evidence. The chargesheet revealed that Soumya had consumed a large quantity of drugs on the day of the incident and was under emotional distress. It also said he had no prior acquaintance with the woman linked to the case. The release of the six has raised questions over the basis of their arrests.
The Indian Opinion
The chargesheet's revelation that the victim had consumed drugs risks being used to deflect from the crime of mob lynching. But the question is not what the victim did, but why a crowd resorted to fatal violence. The police's arrest of nine people who later had to be released raises serious doubts about their investigation methods. The court's decision on bail for the remaining accused will be the real test of the evidence.
Sources (2): odishatv.in, odishatv.in (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
