A rape accused was lynched by an irate mob at Singhakhunta in Balasore district on Thursday night. The deceased has been identified as Basant Singh.

Police sources said Singh, 35, had sneaked into the house of a married woman in the village when none of the family members were present. Finding her alone Singh allegedly raped her. The screams of the woman brought local people rushing to the spot. They nabbed the accused who was tied to a tree and thrashed severely. He died on the spot.

Police have lodged a case and begun an inquiry. “Investigation is on. We have arrested the husband of the victim,” police inspector Madhusmita Mohanty told The Telegraph.