Viral Torture Video Leads to Arrest in Berhampur Sadar; Police Hunt for More Accused

Manoj Kanta Dash, Odishabarta

BERHAMPUR, July 13: A shocking viral video allegedly showing a young man being brutally assaulted inside a locked room has triggered swift police action in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

The disturbing footage, widely circulated on social media, prompted Berhampur Sadar Police to register a criminal case and arrest the prime accused, while efforts are underway to apprehend other persons involved.

According to police, the incident occurred at Kaukhata village under Masiakhali Panchayat within the jurisdiction of Berhampur Sadar Police Station.

The victim, Prashant Das of Krupasindhupur village, alleged that he was illegally confined in a room for nearly three days and subjected to severe physical assault by a group of young men

The viral video reportedly shows the victim pleading for mercy while the accused continue to beat him mercilessly. In one part of the video, the assailants are seen offering him water before allegedly resuming the assault, making the footage even more disturbing.

Prashant alleged that the attack was carried out after he refused to allow his vehicle to be used for illegal activities. He named R. Sibaram @ Arup, K. Bulu, and several others as the perpetrators. Fearing for his life, the victim reportedly went into hiding before approaching the police and filing a written complaint seeking legal action.

Based on the complaint, Berhampur Sadar Police registered Sadar PS Case No. 445 dated July 12, 2026, under Sections 127(3), 296, 115(2), 109, 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

In a press release, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Alok Jena stated that the case was registered at 8:15 a.m. on July 12 following the written complaint of Prashant Das, son of Bijaya Das, of Krupasindhupur village. Investigation commenced immediately after the FIR was registered.

During the investigation, police seized a pen drive containing the video footage of the alleged assault from the complainant. Preliminary investigation revealed that the complainant and the prime accused, R. Sibaram @ Arup, were known to each other.

Police further stated that R. Sibaram @ Arup had been involved in several criminal activities in the past. Investigators found that when the accused allegedly asked Prashant Das to assist in anti-social activities, he refused. Enraged by the refusal, the accused and his associates allegedly confined him in a room, abused him with caste-based insults knowing that he belonged to a Scheduled Caste community, assaulted him with a fibre stick with an alleged intention to kill, and threatened him with dire consequences if he disclosed the incident to anyone.

Acting swiftly, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Santosh Behera a veteran Police Officer and his team arrested the prime accused, R. Sibaram @ Arup (23), son of R. Appa Rao, of Pratap Krushnachandrapur (Kaukhata) village, at 2:35 p.m. on July 12. He was produced before the court on the same day.

Police verification revealed that the accused has a criminal history and is involved in several previous cases, including:

1. B. Sadar PS Case No. 267/2023 dated May 22, 2023 under Sections 341, 294 and 324 of the IPC.
2. B. Sadar PS Case No. 353/2023 dated July 14, 2023 under Sections 341, 294, 323, 506 and 34 of the IPC.
3. B. Sadar PS Case No. 397/2024 dated November 21, 2024 under Sections 126(2), 296, 115(2), 351(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Police said the investigation is continuing and raids are underway to arrest the remaining accused persons involved in the incident.

The viral assault video has generated widespread public outrage, with citizens demanding stringent action against all those responsible. Police have assured that every accused connected with the crime will be brought to justice.