Cuttack: Playback singer Sourin Bhatt landed in a major controversy and trouble has been mounting with every passing day after a woman levelled harassment charges against him. The statement of the victim, a bank employee, was recorded today by the Magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC.

“We are verifying the 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 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, which is under investigation,” said Cuttack Zone II Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Amitabh Mohapatra while briefing mediapersons here.

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“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 added.

Worth mentioning, 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, yesterday.

As per the FIR, Sourin had been harassing the woman both physically and mentally after promising her of marrying and after giving her a break in singing. He also took Rs 10 lakh from her. The singer and the woman were in a love relationship for the past several years. Subsequently, Sourin turned out to be a trickster and allegedly deceived the woman, the FIR mentioned.

Acting on the FIR, Mahila police 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 woman was done yesterday at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack. Police tried to contact Sourin, but to no avail, as his mobile phones were in ‘switched off’ mode.