Odia actor-turned-politician arrested on 'casting couch' allegations

Actor-turned-politician Tatwa Prakash Satapathy alias Papu Pom Pom has been arrested following 'casting couch' allegations against him, said a senior police official on Thursday.

Satapathy, along with his associate Pradip Swain, was arrested from Nilachal apartment in Puri on charges of sexual exploitation to a minor girl on Thursday, said Police Commissioner Y.B. Khurania.

The actor would be produced before a local court here.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday expelled the popular Odia cinema actor, who had contested 2014 elections on BJD ticket from Champua Assembly segment in Keonjhar district unsuccessfully.

A case was lodged with the Mahila Police Station here by a social organisation that a minor girl had been sexually exploited by the actor by giving her a false promise to give a break in films. District Child Welfare Committee also directed to lodge a case.

"When we feel that they would not cooperate with us after they were served a notice, we were left no option but to arrest them," said Khurania.

He said the statement of the victim was recorded before the JMFC here.

--IANS

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