Bhubaneswar, Sept. 13: A 23-year-old girl from Mayurbhanj today lodged a complaint against a dentist alleging sexual harassment.

The 37-year-old dentist Satya Ranjan Samal is also the president of an NGO that has lodged a complaint against Odia comedian and film star Tatwa Prakash Satpathy aka Pappu Pom Pom, accusing him of sexually harassing actors.

The girl alleged that the dentist tried to force her into having sex with him.

"I was working as a contractual employee in the district collector's office in Mayurbhanj and was suddenly sacked without any valid reason. I was forced to take the matter to several forums, including the Odisha Administrative Tribunal. Two months ago, the dentist asked me to come down to Bhubaneswar assuring me of legal aid," alleged the girl.

The girl alleged that after she reached Bhubaneswar, the dentist took her to various places, including hotels, and tried to force her to have sex with him.

"When I objected, he sexually assaulted me. He later threatened that his organisation would not take up my case and I would suffer as I did not have any money to pursue it," alleged the girl.

The dentist was arrested in January 2011 for allegedly molesting a 55-year-old woman, but in 2013, the judicial magistrate first class court in Bhubaneswar acquitted him.

Police have registered a case against the dentist on the basis of a complaint filed by the girl.

"We have registered a case under several sections of the Indian Penal Code including section 354 (outraging modesty) and 354-A (sexual harassment). We have also recorded the statement of the victim and conducted a medical examination on her. Further investigation is on," said deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi.

Samal denied the allegations levelled against him.

"All the allegations brought by the girl are baseless. Her past allegations against the collectorate employees in Mayurbhanj were also baseless. She has been trying to extort money from me by threatening to lodge a complaint against me," Samal said.

Bomb explosion

A bomb explosion was reported at Fire Station Square in Nayapally today.

Sources said the bomb exploded on the premises of Rohan Motors, adjacent to the National Highway-16.

The bomb was reportedly kept in the place where new bikes are parked. The Nayapally police are investigating into the incident.