Bhubaneswar: The Archana Nag’s honeytrap scandal can bring down the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in Odisha if probed properly and the truth is brought to light, Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja told the media on Wednesday.
The Kantabanji legislator alleged that several BJD ministers, leaders and officials are linked to the racket. Names of some former ministers and legislators are also doing the rounds, he added.
“There is enormous pressure on the police to hush up the investigation and they are, hence, not disclosing the evidence and photographs found in the seized laptop and phone of Archana. There is also silence on the victims of the extortion racket as the exposé can put the government in danger,” he claimed.
Referring to Mamita Meher’s case, Saluja said that mystery continues to shroud her death as police have declined to make public the evidence retrieved from her laptop. “There is a possibility all evidence pertaining to Archana case might also be destroyed,” he added.
Demanding an SIT probe into the honeytrap racket, the MLA said that the dark secrets of the politicians and names of those who have been associated with the honeytrap case should be made public.
Seconding his views, state BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said that attempts are being made to shield the influential people, including ministers and MLAs, allegedly linked to the racket. “It is therefore important to unmask those who have been supporting the woman and her network,” he added.
On Tuesday, the saffron party demanded a CBI probe to unravel the truth behind the activities of Archana, who was arrested on October 6 on charges of running a honeytrap racket in Odisha’s capital by luring politicians, bureaucrats, and other high-profile persons, and then blackmailing them. It also alleged that Archana and her husband Jagabandhu Chand thrived because of support from the BJD.
Also Read: Know Status Of Odisha Honeytrap Racket Kingpin Archana Nag’s Bail Plea
The BJD, however, has rubbished the opposition charges. “It is ridiculous that the BJP is now asking questions. It should first answer about the involvement of its (BJP) leaders in the case. We have photos of some of their leaders with the accused. By demanding a CBI probe, they are trying to dilute the ongoing police investigation,” party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty hit back on Tuesday.
Instead of enacting drama and making wild allegations, the BJP should produce evidence to substantiate its claim, he added.
At least two ministers, including one from western Odisha, a senior BJP leader also from western Odisha, a former MLA, a veteran BJD leader, and some bureaucrats allegedly fell victim to the racket.
In his FIR, filmmaker Akhyay Parija mentioned that Archana identified herself as a lawyer and blackmailed him saying that she had obscene videos of him with her client. “Archana struck a deal with me at a city-based posh hotel and demanded Rs 3 crore from me. She threatened to kill me by cutting me into pieces if I did not oblige,” he alleged.
Parija filed the complaint with Nayapalli police after a woman accused him of casting couch.
Also read: When Odisha Honeytrap Kingpin Archana Trapped A Girl By Spiking Her Food; Check Other Details
