Bhubaneswar, June 28: A day after the Mahila police registered a case related to casting couch against Odia comedian Pappu Pom Pom, aka Tatwa Prakash Satpathy, the actor went missing.

A police team went to his residence at Jagannath Vihar in Khandagiri police limits today, but did not find him there.

Earlier, the police had registered a case against Pappu Pom Pom and his associate Pradipta Kumar Swain under section 354-A (sexual harassment), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult a woman) and 34 (crime done by more than one person) of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

His neighbours said they had not seen him or his family members for two days. The 38-year-old actor, who is under the scanner of the state crime branch for his links with Ponzi firm Oscar group, had allegedly sexually exploited a minor girl luring her with the promise of getting her into the Odia film industry. He had allegedly molested the girl in a moving car.

The mother of the victim today recorded her statement with the police. The statement of the victim was also recorded in the presence of a magistrate this evening. "We will serve a notice to the actor to record his statement. We will also ascertain the charges levelled against the actor in the complaint and action will be taken accordingly," said police commissioner Y.B. Khurania.

The Child Welfare Committee of Khurdha had directed the police on Monday to register a case against the actor after finding prima facie evidence against him.

In a related incident, the statement of television artiste Sarmistha Priyadarshini was also recorded in a local court here today. The 25-year-old actress has filed a complaint related to casting couch with the Mahila police against directors Tapas Sargaria and Chandi Parija, event manager Bapi Jena, producer Subrat Naik, and husband-wife duo and tele-serial producers Nihar Samal and Bini Samal.

"I hope to get justice. It doesn't matter that they are influential people, I am entitled to my rights as a citizen. They should be punished," said the actress after coming out of the court.

The women's wing of Congress and BJP today staged demonstrations demanding the immediate arrest of Pappu Pom Pom.

"The police are delaying his arrest as the actor is an active member of the ruling BJD. This is a sensitive issue as it involves a minor who was sexually exploited by the actor. Pappu Pom Pom should be arrested immediately," said president of Odisha Pradesh Mahila Congress Sasmita Behera.