Naveen dismisses comedian from BJD

The ruling BJD today dismissed Tatwa Prakash Satpathy alias Papu Pom Pom from the party in wake of statewide agitation demanding arrest of the comedian, who has been accused in a casting couch case.
"BJD president Naveen Patnaik has dismissed Tatwa Prakash Satpathy aka Papu Pom Pom from the party," BJD general secretary Debi Prasad Mishra said in a statement.
Patnaik's action came three days after the police registered a case against Satpathy on the basis of a written complaint made by a minor girl.
Satpathy and one of his associates have been booked under sections of 354 (A)(sexual harassment), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) IPC along with 8/12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Meanwhile, the Commissionerate Police today formed a special team to nab Satpathy who is on the run. The special team, led by the Zone-1 ACP and the IIC of Mahila Police Station, will track the movement and conduct raids at various places to nab the actor-turned-politician and his aide Pradipta Swain, who is also on the run, said Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi.
Satpathy, who had joined BJD during the 2014 general elections and also unsuccessfully contested from Champua Assembly seat, was one of the star attractions for the ruling party.
In a related development, the Odisha unit of BJP today staged a demonstration near Satpathy's house in the city demanding his immediate arrest. BJP activists torched tyres on the road blocking vehicular movement for a while and burnt his effigy.

Civil society and women organisations also took out protests marches at various other places of the state including Jajpur demanding his arrest.