Troubles mounted further for BJD leader and actor Tattwa Prakash Satpathy alias Papu Pompom, presently embroiled in a row of sexually exploiting a minor girl on the plea of giving her a chance in the Ollywood industry, as the Khordha Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Monday directed the Commissionerate Police to register a case against the comedian.
Following the direction of the CWC, the Mahila police registered a case against actor Papu Pompom and his associate Pradip Swain under Section 354 (A), 506, 509, 34 IPC and also under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The case was registered as per the report of the CWC member Nirupama Rath.
The CWC also directed the Mahila police here to record statement of the minor girl. “We received a request from police to conduct a probe into the matter. Prima facie, it appears that sexual assault and sexual harassment have taken place. Hence, the CWC asked the Commissionerate Police to register a case against Papu Pompom and one of his associates Pradipta Swain alias Gitu under Section 154 of CrPC. Besides, it also asked the police to record the statement of the minor girl under Section 164 of CrPC in the presence of a Magistrate,” said CWC member Benudhar Senapaty.
He also informed that the Bhubaneswar DCP was directed to ensure security and protection to the victim and her family members.
“This comes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. We have issued an order to the Mahila Police to register a case under the Act. As the girl is in a traumatised state, the victim and her family should be provided with police protection. We have also asked the District Child Protection Officer for counselling of the victim for early recovery,” informed Senapaty.
On Saturday, Friends Foundation Trust, a social organisation, had filed a complaint at the Mahila police on behalf of the victim that she had been sexually abused on the pretext of a break in acting.
Meanwhile, acting on another complaint of actress Sarmistha Priyadarshini, the Mahila police have issued notices to six persons associated with the regional television and film industry for exploiting her. Notices were issued to directors, Tapas Sargaria and Chandi Parija, event manager Bapi Jena, producer Subrat Naik, husband-wife duo and tele serial producers Nihar Samal and Bini Samal.
The actress recorded her statement under Section 161 of CrPC. Based on her statement, the police have issued notices to the six persons to depose for questioning.
On the other hand, Chandi Parija, Nihar Samal, Bini Samal and other actors working under the banner of production house Urmee Communication on Monday rubbished the charges levelled against them.
Producer Bini Samal said that it was Rs4 lakh due on the actress for which she levelled allegations against her and her producer husband just not to pay the amount. Countering the woman producer, the 25-year-old actress said, “If she has given me money as advance then let her show in which mode she has paid me. let her come with proof. I have the proof to back my claims.”