Papon quits as reality show judge after 'kiss' controversy
Mumbai, Feb 24 (IBNS): A day after police case was registered against singer Papon for "inappropriately kissing" a contestant in a children's reality show, he has announced to step down as the judge of the event.
"Since I am in no mental state to fulfil most of my professional obligations, I have decided to step down as a judge on the show till the matter in which I have been falsely implicated is fully resolved and the investigations are over," the singer said in a tweet statement.
Singer Papon has landed in a controversy after a video of him 'kissing' a minor singer during a reality show, which went viral on social media.
The video, shared by Papon on his Facebook page, shows the singer in a light moment with contestants of the music reality show, The Voice of India Kids Season 2.
In the video he is seen planting a kiss on the lips of the minor contestant.
Apart from Papon, the other jury members include Himesh Reshammiya, Shaan, and Palak Muchhal.
Supreme Court lawyer Runa Bhuyan has filed a complaint with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights against Papon under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act saying that the singer has "committed sexual assault".
"I am shocked to see the behaviour of the said singer Angarag Papon Mahanta towards a minor girl where he is seen to be applying colors on a minor girl and inappropriately kissing the said girl. On seeing the video, I am seriously concerned regarding the safety and security of minor girl participating in reality shows across India," media reports quoted her as saying in the complaint.
— papon angaraag (@paponmusic) February 24, 2018
However, NDTV has quoted the contestant's father as saying that Papon is his daughter's mentor and like a father figure to her.
He requested the media "not to pursue this further". "He has always encouraged her to pursue her dreams. He doesn't differentiate amongst the children. What you saw in the video is not intentional. It was just a moment of affection that is being portrayed otherwise," he said.
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