Bhubaneswar, May 20: After a long gap, a casting couch allegation has once again surfaced in the entertainment industry. Police on Tuesday arrested television actor Rashmikant Bhuan on charges of allegedly sexually exploiting a young woman and cheating her of ₹30 lakh by promising to make her a star in serials and films. Soon after the complaint was lodged, police arrested the accused and produced him before the court.

According to police, Rashmikant, a resident of Badamatha village under Mahakalapada in Kendrapara district, was staying in Bankual and working in television serials and reality shows. He had reportedly come in contact with a young woman residing in BJB Nagar under Badagada police limits. Their friendship later grew closer after he allegedly assured her of opportunities in television serials.

Police said the accused allegedly established a physical relationship with the woman on the promise of providing her acting assignments. He also allegedly collected ₹30 lakh from her on the pretext of producing a film. However, despite the passage of time, neither was the film made nor was the woman given any work in serials.

When the woman demanded the money back, the accused allegedly proposed marriage to her instead. Believing his assurance, she agreed, following which he again allegedly maintained a physical relationship with her.

The matter came to light after the woman reportedly discovered that the accused was involved with multiple women. Following this, she lodged a complaint at the Women Police Station on Tuesday. Acting swiftly, police registered a case under Sections 69 and 318 of the BNS, arrested the accused, and forwarded him to court.