Papu Pompom booked for casting couch

Bhubaneswar: Ollywood comedian-turned-BJD politician Papu Pompom, who is in the eye of the storm for his suspected links with a chit fund firm promoter, was on Monday booked by the Mahila police here for allegedly involving in casting couch and sexually harassing a minor girl.

The police action followed a directive by the child welfare committee (CWC), a government-approved body, asking the Bhubaneswar DCP to immediately register the case on the basis of Saturday's complaint filed by a social organization. The outfit alleged Papu sexually abused the 16-year-old girl on the pretext of giving her a role in a film recently.

"A joint team of our personnel and CWC officers met the girl at her house and listened to her grievance. Based on the report of the CWC, we registered case against Tattwa Prakash Satpathy aka Papu and his associate Pradipta Kumar Swain, who allegedly harassed her sexually a few months ago. The charges are being verified," commissioner of police Y B Khurania told TOI. The accused were booked under sections of 354 (A), 506, 509 and 34 IPC along with 8/12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

While Swain was unavailable for comment, Papu denied the charges when contacted. "I did not sexually assault any girl. The charges are baseless. I am ready to face any inquiry," he said.

The actor joined ruling BJD in the run-up to the 2014 elections and unsuccessfully contested from Champua assembly constituency. He along with some other actors-turned-BJD politicians is in focus for allegedly availing undue benefits from Oscar Group, a chit fund company owned by film producer Prabhas Rout. There has been a growing public outcry for their interrogation by the state Crime Branch in the Ponzi scam.

In a related development, the Mahila police on Monday served summons to six persons - two directors, three producers and an event manager - booked on Sunday for allegedly promoting casting couch in Odia film and serial industry. Police registered the case on the basis of a complaint by a female actor, who accused them of harassing her sexually. The accused denied the charges.