Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 25: 

Trouble seems to be compounding for Odisha actor-turned-politician Papu Pom Pom as a complaint has been filed against him for allegedly exploiting a minor girl on the pretext of giving her a break in movies.

FIR lodged against papu pom pom

A non government organisation -- Friends Foundation Trust—today filed a complaint on behalf of the victim with the Mahila Police station here alleging the actor of sexually exploiting and intimidating a minor girl after promising to get her acting roles in movies.

Apart from Papu, one of his aides Pradipta Swain alias Gitu has also been named in the complaint.

The victim, a Class-IX student in a private school of Bhubaneswar, today approached a television channel earlier in the day bringing light to her plight.

“I have received a complaint from the victim pertaining to the incident. According to the girl, actor Papu Pom Pom first met her in her school and lured her with offers of movies. He took her phone number and kept in touch with her. On a later date, he molested her inside a vehicle,” said Secretary of Friends Foundation Trust Babita Kar.

“The girl spoke up after she did not get a chance in movies as committed. One of Papu’s aides – identified as Gitu —tried to manhandle her over this. While Papu tried to avoid her after the incident, the girl damaged the headlights of a scooter on which both were travelling in a fit of rage on one occasion.” she added.

Babita further added that the girl was warned against approaching the police or the media about the incident.

She was told about his muscle power and police connections and warned that she would be gangraped and thrown into a sea, should she dare to reveal the incident. Besides, she was defamed in her colony, Babita said while adding that they have the voice recording of her conversations with Papu to back their claims.

“The girl is depressed over the issue. She is also worried about her security and sought legal help from me. I have assured her to provide legal counselling and today lodged a complaint on behalf of my trust seeking an investigation into the incident and action against the accused,” she added.

While Papu, as usual, was unavailable for comments, the police assured that necessary steps would be taken as per the provisions of the law.

It may be mentioned here that allegations of casting couch and sexual harassment against Papu is nothing new. In the past week itself, there have been two complaints against him where the victims narrated how they were sexually harassed by Pappu.