Arrested for allegedly harassing a minor girl sexually, tainted Ollywood comedian Tattwa Prakash Satapathy alias Papu Pompom was granted conditional bail by the Orissa High Court on Wednesday.
Papu Pompom, the suspended BJD leader, was arrested by the Bhubaneswar police in June under several Sections of IPC and offence under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
Along with Papu, his associate Pradeep Sahoo, who was too arrested in the same case, was also granted conditional bail by the High Court. Two lower courts in Khordha district had last month refused to grant them bails apparently apprehending that the actor-cum-politician could use his clout to influence the witnesses in the case.
Justice JP Das of the High Court, however, allowed the bail applications of the duo setting conditions that they shall not influence the witnesses or tamper with the evidences. Both were also asked to cooperate with the investigating officer (IO) whenever required. Both shall be released on bail by furnishing bail bonds of Rs20,000 with two sureties each.
According to a report reaching here, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Khordha district, which has been monitoring the case, is planning to appeal to the High Court for a review of its decision on granting bail to Papu. The CWC is also thinking of challenging the HC decision in the Supreme Court, sources said.