Bhubaneswar, May 29: In a major development in the sensational murder case of GRP constable Soumyaranjan Swain in Bhubaneswar’s Balianta area, the Crime Branch on Thursday arrested another accused. The accused, identified as Geda alias Ashok Jena (45) of Gangeshwargada under Cuttack Sadar police limits, was apprehended from a hotel in Patia area of Bhubaneswar. With this arrest, the total number of accused held in the case has gone up to 17.
However, even three weeks after the brutal mob assault and murder, 14 accused persons are still absconding. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Crime Branch DIG Battula Gangadhar said intensive efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining accused.
The DIG further revealed that traces of steroids were detected in Soumyaranjan’s blood samples, as confirmed by the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) report. The postmortem report also stated that the constable died due to excessive internal bleeding caused by severe injuries.
Meanwhile, questions have continued to surface over the role and statements of Soumya’s friend Om, with the deceased constable’s family alleging that he is not disclosing the complete truth about the incident. The DIG stated that if required, Om could also be brought under the ambit of investigation.
Statements of the two young women, who had earlier alleged misconduct in connection with the incident, have already been recorded before the court. However, investigators are still examining their role and statements as part of the ongoing probe.
The Crime Branch also indicated that it is not fully satisfied with some statements given by the accused, eyewitnesses and other persons connected to the case. The investigating agency may conduct polygraph tests on certain individuals if necessary, the DIG added.
Sources further revealed that Soumyaranjan had allegedly taken a morphine painkiller injection on the day of the incident. Though the Crime Branch has not officially confirmed the matter, morphine traces were reportedly found in his blood samples. Investigators suspect that the injection was administered shortly before the assault took place.
Morphine injections are generally used to relieve severe pain in critically ill patients. Investigators are now probing whether the dosage taken by Soumya was unusually high and whether it had any bearing on the sequence of events leading to his death.
