Archana Nag Blackmailing Case: Is ED Getting Cooperation From Police In Odisha?

Bhubaneswar: As the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeks to step up its probe in Archana Nag’s honeytrap racket case, questions are being raised as to whether the central agency is able to get necessary cooperation and support from the Odisha police.

According to reports, ED sleuths are stated to be facing numerous problems while conducting investigation in the sensational blackmailing case due to alleged halfhearted response from the Commissionerate police in providing the required support to the premier agency.

As a result, the investigators of the ED seem to be getting prepared for carrying forward their probe into financial transactions in the scandal without help and cooperation from Commissionerate police.

Interestingly, when Khageswar Patra was taken to a court in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, Commissionerate police personnel were not present. CRPF jawans escorted him to the court where some associates of the accused tried to create a ruckus, they said.

Similarly, when ED sleuths seized the luxury car of Archana from Mancheswar, the local police allegedly dragged its feet. A local police official reached the spot allegedly 3 hours after the ED team had arrived there. While shifting the car from the site, the central agency was reported to have received lukewarm response from the police.

While three days have elapsed since the car was spotted in the area, the ED is still unable to get proper CCTV footage which is required to ascertain as to who parked the vehicle there.

This apart, the central agency is yet to get details about the documents seized by the police in course of its investigation in the high-profile case and a request has reportedly been made seeking complete information.

Sources said the role of police has created suspicion among ED officials who wonder as to why proper information about Archana was not given immediately after her arrest. Moreover, her husband Jagabandhu Chand was taken into custody several days after her arrest, while Khageswar had been spared by the police.

Khageswar was arrested by the ED soon after it started probing into alleged money-laundering in the racket. Crucial information is said to have been obtained during interrogation of Khageswar, who was taken on remand by the central agency.

The accused reportedly revealed the names of several politicians, businessmen, officers and contractors during interrogation and the ED is likely to summon many of them to record their statements in connection with blackmailing case.