Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 27:

The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) today asked Odisha police to register a case and record statement of a minor girl over casting couch allegations against Ollywood actor Tatwa Prakash Satapathy aka Papu Pom Pom.

Pic Courtesy: http://youtube.com/ Pic Courtesy: http://youtube.com/

Taking cognizance of a complaint filed by a social organization with Mahila Police, the CWC asked the Twin City Commissionerate police to register a case against actor-turned politician Papu Pom Pom and one of his associates Pradipta Swain alias Gitu under Section 154 of CrPC. Besides, the Committee asked the police to record the statement of the minor girl under Section 164 of CrPC in the presence of a magistrate.

In addition to this, the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) has also been directed for counseling of the victim for early recovery from mental trauma.

“This comes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Prima facie, it appears that sexual assault and sexual harassment has taken place. We have issued an order to the Mahila Police to register a case under the ACT. As the girl is in a traumatized state, the victim and her family should be given protection. We have also asked the DCPO to coordinate with the police in the case in order to give justice to the girl,” CWC Member Benudhar Sahu said.

Also Read: Plaint against Odisha actor Papu Pom Pom over casting couch

In view of this, the Committee has asked the Bhubaneswar DCP to provide adequate security to the child and her family.

Notably, a social organization The Friends Foundation Trust had on Saturday filed a complaint with the Mahila Police on behalf of the victim that she has been sexually exploited on the guise of giving her break in acting career. In addition to this, the actor and one his accomplice had allegedly threatened her of dire consequences if she dared to reveal it to police or media.