Odisha Honeytrap Case: Filmmaker Akshay Parija Fails To Appear Before ED

Bhubaneswar: Odia filmmaker Akshay Parija failed to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Bhubaneswar on Saturday in connection with  Archana Nag’s honeytrap racket case.

According to sources, the film producer was summoned and asked to appear before the ED at its Bhubaneswar office to record his statement about alleged money laundering charges against Archana and three others.

However, Parija failed to appear before the premier central investigative agency citing health reasons. His lawyer said the filmmaker will turn up when the ED gives a fresh date for appearance and extend full cooperation in the probe.

The ED had summoned Parija based on a complaint he had filed against Archana Nag and her associate Shradhanjali Behera with the police in Bhubaneswar.

Archana, who is currently in jail, had allegedly blackmailed and demanded Rs 3 crore from Akshay Parija threatening to make his objectional videos and photographs public.

ED has registered a case against Archana, her husband Jagabandhu Chand, business partner Khageswar Patra and associate Shradhanjali Behera on November 2 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED will probe into money laundering by Archana and the involvement of political leaders in the sextortion case.

Sources said, Archana, her aides, and prominent personalities who are linked with the case would be served notice soon. Subsequently, bank statements and monetary transactions in this connection will be verified.

It may be noted here that the police had arrested Archana on October 6 on charges of honey trapping several bigwigs and extorting huge amounts of money from them. Later, her husband was arrested on October 22 in this connection. Later, ED arrested Khageswar after it started probing into financial transactions in the entire episode.