Bhubaneswar, Juen 4: Amid controversy for allegedly engaging Government Railway (GRP) Constable Soumyaranjan Swain, who was beaten to death by a mob in the presence of police, for personal duties, ADG-ranked officer Dayal Gangwar is likely to depose before the two-member NHRC inquiry panel on Thursday.

Gangwar was in the middle of a storm after Swain was lynched by a mob in Balianta area on May 7.

Deceased Soumya's parents had alleged that he was under severe mental stress when he worked under Gangwar. The deceased Constable’s parents had claimed that the senior IPS officer forced him to perform personal duties unrelated to official responsibilities.

Recently, the State Government transferred Gangwar as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Home Department. He was serving as ADG Communications.

It was alleged that Gangwar, during his tenure as Railway ADG had engaged a number of GRP Constables for his personal work and Soumya was one of them. Even after his transfer as the ADG, Communications, Gangwar reportedly did now allow the GRP constables to report at the original place of posting.

Meanwhile, four police personnel - a Sub-Inspector, an Assistant Sub-Inspector and two Constables - who were suspended for negligence and failing to protect Swain, deposed before the NHRC probe team - comprising Rajendra Singh and Avinash Kumar. An ambulance driver, Sugyan Mallick, also recorded his statements and recounted the sequence of events before the NHRC team.

On Wednesday, the 22-year-old woman, whose rape bid allegation against Swain led to his lynching, deposed before the inquiry panel at the State House here.

According to her complaint filed at the Balianta police station, she, along with a friend, was riding a scooter on the morning of May 7 when Swain’s bike collided with theirs. She alleged that Swain, who was riding pillion, forcibly dragged her to the roadside, tore her clothes, and attempted to sexually assault her in broad daylight.

The NHRC team's investigation covers the chain of events leading to the violence, measures to tackle the mob, role of law enforcement, and allegations of police negligence.

Meanwhile, the team also conducted the spot inquiry and examine all persons concerned in connection with the case.