Police Yet To Take Action On Sharmistha’s Case

BHUBANESWAR: Even though police arrested comedian Papu Pom Pom for his alleged involvement in casting couch case, it seems the police are going slow in the TV actress Sharmistha case.

A week after TV actress lodged a complaint about sexual harassment she allegedly faced, there is little progress in the probe being conducted by the commissionerate police.

None of the accused, all producers and directors of the Odia film industry, has appeared before police to record their statements.

Notably,  Sharmistha alleged that the accused sought sexual favours from her in lieu of giving her work in the film industry.

She had named Directors Chandi Parija and Tapas Sargariha, producers Bini Samal, Nihar Samal and Subrat Nayak and event manager Bapi Jena in the FIR registered with the Mahila Police Station.

The accused had been issued notices by police for appearance.

Friends Foundation Trust, A non-government organisation, whose functionaries that had accompanied Sharmistha to the police station to lodge the complaint, accused police of only sitting on the case.

 ‘Police have not collected any evidence or examined any witness so far. They are not even talking to Sharmistha for help in the collection of evidence or find the witness,” said a member of the NGO.