Odisha, Odisha — The Crime Branch on Sunday formally began its investigation into the murder case of GRP constable Soumyaranjan in Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

Background

The Crime Branch assumed control of the case after allegations of attempted rape and alleged police negligence surfaced. It has registered several FIRs and other statutory cases linked to the incident, acting on directives that mandated a specialised inquiry. DIG B Gangadhar disclosed that DSP Ratnaprabha Satpathy is heading the investigation, while SP Aniruddha Routaray is supervising the overall probe. The agency has also instructed its forensic unit to preserve any biological material recovered from the scene.

The Crime Branch team arrived at Balianta police station on the same day and collected all case‑related documents, log books and statements from the investigating officer. Officials confirmed that the handover included the original FIR, medical reports, witness statements and the station’s internal enquiry notes. The team has begun cross‑checking these records against the evidence catalogue to identify any discrepancies.

Community Impact

The incident has unsettled residents of Balianta and neighbouring villages, prompting local leaders to call for swift justice. The Crime Branch has pledged to keep the community informed of substantive developments while respecting the confidentiality of ongoing inquiries. Investigators will revisit the crime scene, photograph the area, and secure any objects such as rods, sticks or other implements that were allegedly used during the assault. They have also requested the hospital that treated the constable to provide a detailed autopsy report, which will help establish the precise cause of death and the nature of the injuries sustained.

What Happens Next

The Crime Branch will retain all data and records that were previously held by the local police, ensuring a single chain of custody for the investigation. It has formed two dedicated teams: one to examine the murder charge against Soumyaranjan and another to probe the complaint lodged by the girl alleging an attempted rape. Both teams are currently reviewing witness testimonies, forensic findings and digital evidence such as mobile‑phone records.

DIG B Gangadhar reiterated that the investigation remains active and that the Crime Branch will continue to seize any further material evidence uncovered during field visits. He added that the agency will liaise with medical experts to verify the autopsy conclusions and will seek court‑ordered authorisations if additional forensic testing becomes necessary. The Crime Branch has committed to submitting a comprehensive report to the state’s senior officials once the dual inquiries reach a conclusive stage.