One of the most talked-about moments in the viral video shows a young woman, believed to be a friend or girlfriend of the victim, desperately trying to stop the assault. As Umesh lay on the road during the attack, the woman was seen pleading with the accused to stop beating him.
At one point, she reportedly lay over Umesh in an attempt to shield him from further blows. Despite her efforts, the attackers allegedly continued assaulting him with sticks.
Bhubaneswar – In a shocking incident, a young man identified as Umesh Rath and his female friend were brutally assaulted in full public view near Giriroad Square in Berhampur. According to eyewitness accounts, Umesh Rath and his friend had gone to the area for evening snacks when… pic.twitter.com/vI5Ch0k956
— NextMinute News (@nextminutenews7) May 19, 2026
A motorcycle seen fallen near the spot has led to speculation that the couple may have been intercepted before the attack began.
🚨 BREAKING: Brutal daylight assault in Berhampur, Odisha
Brothers Mukteswar & Ashis Kumar Sahu beat Umesh Rath with sticks on Giri Road.
Woman shielded him desperately. Umesh critical.
One attacker is alleged right-hand man of BJP MLA K. Anil Kumar.@narendramodi@AmitShah… pic.twitter.com/XBycw1dXsJ
— Public News X (@PublicNewsX) May 19, 2026
Some eyewitnesses also claimed that a few people tried to intervene, but most bystanders remained spectators and did not step in immediately.