Cuttack: A team of Commissionerate Police officials, who went to Kolkata yesterday morning to contact Sourin Bhatt at his residence and carry out a probe into alleged harassment levelled by a woman from Cuttack, returned Odisha empty-handed today as there was no trace of the playback singer.

According to a source, it was known after reaching Kolkata that Sourin is in New Delhi. Family of Sourin is quite aware of the fact that he was on good terms with the complainant in Cuttack. The family assured the probe team that they will inform the playback singer to contact Odisha Police on his return to Kolkata from New Delhi. However, the family alleged against the woman of blackmailing Sourin.

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The five-member probe team was led by a lady sub-Inspector (SI). Raid on Sourin’s residence was carried out on Wednesday night with the help of a special squad of Kolkata Police, the source added.

Worth mentioning, the probe team travelled from Odisha by train. Later, the team discussed about the harassment allegation brought against Sourin with Kolkata Police, prior to conducting the raid.

The playback singer landed in a major controversy and trouble has been mounting with every passing day after the woman levelled harassment charges against him. The statement of the victim woman, who is a bank employee, was previously recorded by the Magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC.

“We are verifying different places where the love-couple had gone together in the past days. The probe is underway and we are trying to collect evidence pertaining to the harassment allegations. The accused had taken a house on rent in Markat Nagar locality with the purpose of providing accommodation to the woman. He had an office in CDA of the city, which is under investigation,” Cuttack Zone II Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Amitabh Mohapatra had said while briefing mediapersons here.

“The accused could be arrested based on evidence, if any, and if the need so arises. He can also put up his viewpoint in person at the Mahila police station if he desires,” ACP Mohapatra had added.

The woman had lodged an FIR in this regard at Jagatpur police station and the case was later referred to Mahila police station in the city. As per the FIR, Sourin had been harassing the woman both physically and mentally after promising of marrying the woman and after giving her a break in singing.

Sourin had taken Rs 10 lakh from her. He and the woman were in a love relationship for the past several years. Subsequently, Sourin allegedly turned out to be a trickster and deceived the woman.

Acting on the FIR, Mahila police previously registered a case (No-78/2023) in this connection under Sections 294, 323, 341, 376, 417, 493 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. A medical examination of the complainant woman was done on June 14 at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Police had tried to contact Sourin, but to no avail, as his mobile phones were in ‘switched off’ mode.