Bhubaneswar: Puri police on Thursday started a probe into TV actress Mahika Sharma's allegations of being teased and manhandled by a group of youths during her trip to Puri on rath yatra. The actress had narrated her ordeal on Instagram.

She has alleged that the incident took place on Saturday morning when she was on her way to visit the Jagannath temple.

"I really don't know why that happened. I was really so confused. Like if working is a crime. Talking about 'sex' is a crime. We are human beings. We all have crush, fantasy and will and wishes. That's natural. I was facing social media harassment I didn't say anything. People clicking weird pictures and sharing, asking my rates, gaudy messages. I kept calm. But think today on Rath Yatra I went for morning Aarti and group of people made my fun and one pushed me and was to slap. Still, I kept quiet. No complaints. And I don't want to. I believe Lord Jagannath will do justice. They are his kid. I'm also his daughter. And I forgive. Because we are one. God bless them. I'm sorry after coming to you. I couldn't see you, lord. Bless me (sic)," read the post of the actress popular for her role in the Hindi TV serial FIR and Ramayana. However, the actress removed the Instagram post on Thursday.

Police sources said that they spoke to the actress after the post became viral on social media.

"We spoke to her and she said that the police official present on the spot had immediately intervened and nabbed the youths. But they were let off after the youths apologised and the actress refused to lodge any police complaint," said a cop.

Superintendent of police, Puri, Sarthak Sarangi said the actress had tweeted thanks to the police for acting swiftly.

"Mahika had said in the tweet that she did not want to pursue the minor incident," Sarangi said.

Women activists, however, demanded the police to take stringent action against such trouble mongers.

"The police should take suo motto cognisance in such cases,' said social activist Lokapriya Kanungo.