Railway Officer’s Family Calls for Polygraph Test, Claims False Allegations Against Him

In the wake of a deadly mob attack in Bhubaneswar’s Balianta area, family members of lynching victim Soumya Ranjan Swain are demanding a polygraph test for the woman whose sexual assault accusations triggered the fatal violence.

Residents of Maujpur village, located approximately 27 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, have united in grief and outrage following Thursday’s incident. The community of about 600 people is seeking clarity on the circumstances that led to Swain’s death, with many asserting that the rape allegation was fabricated.

Dhusasana Swain, the victim’s father and a local farmer, categorically rejected the accusations against his son. “The woman is lying. The location she mentioned is a busy stretch where no one would dare commit such an offense in broad daylight,” he stated. Suggesting a possible conspiracy, he added, “My son may have had enemies I was unaware of. She might have connived with them to kill him. She should be subjected to a lie-detector test.”

The family has also dismissed an alternative explanation offered by Swain’s friend, Om Prakash Rout, who suggested on Friday that Soumya might have collapsed on the woman due to a seizure, leading to a misunderstanding. Dhusasana firmly countered this theory, stating, “My son had no history of epileptic seizures. He was fit and fine.”

Criticism of local law enforcement has intensified as the investigation continues. Soumya’s uncle, Ajay Kumar Dash, expressed deep distrust in the commissionerate police’s handling of the case. “The police are painting my nephew in bad light without conducting a thorough inquiry. He was beaten to death in front of the police, yet they concluded he was at fault. We cannot expect justice from them,” Dash remarked.

The family’s concerns extend to higher levels of law enforcement leadership. Dash called for accountability from senior police officials, including the police commissioner, deputy commissioner, and Balianta inspector-in-charge, citing their failure to control the mob violence that resulted in Swain’s death.

The sentiment of distrust is shared widely throughout Maujpur village. Residents allege they faced hostility when visiting the Balianta police station on Thursday night following the incident. “The role of the police is suspicious from the beginning. They appear to be justifying mob violence,” added Dash, reflecting the community’s growing frustration with authorities.

Police officials have denied these accusations and maintain that their investigation is thorough and impartial. “We are investigating the murder case from all angles,” a senior officer stated, asking for patience as the inquiry proceeds.

The incident highlights the dangerous consequences of mob justice and raises serious questions about public response to sexual assault allegations. It also underscores the complex challenges facing law enforcement when handling highly charged situations where community tensions and serious criminal accusations intersect.

As the investigation continues, the case has sparked broader discussions about due process, the presumption of innocence, and the proper handling of both sexual assault allegations and incidents of mob violence. Local authorities now face mounting pressure not only to determine the truth behind the conflicting accounts but also to restore community trust in the criminal justice system.

For Maujpur village and the Swain family, the path to closure remains uncertain as they continue to advocate for what they believe would be a more thorough and unbiased investigation into the events that led to Soumya Ranjan Swain’s death.