Odisha Honeytrap Kingpin Archana Nag’s Driver Appears Before ED

Bhubaneswar: Hours after co-accused Shardhanjali Behera, honeytrap kingpin Archana Nag’s driver Chandan arrived at Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Odisha capital on Friday.

According to sources, the agency had issued a summon to Chandan in connection with the extortion and blackmailing case. It is probing the proceeds of the crime and has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Archana, her husband Jagabandhu Chand, his business partner Khageswar Patra and Shradhanjali.

The sources further said the agency suspects Chandan’s involvement in the crime. He can also shed light on people whom Archana used to meet.

Also Read: Odisha Honeytrap Racket Co-Accused Shardhanjali Appears Before ED For 2nd Time

The ED may confront Chandan and Shardhanjali and question them together, the sources added.

Shardhanjali is accused of having partnered in the sextortion racket before falling out with Archana. In her complaint lodged at Khandagiti police station, Shradhanjali claimed that she was trapped and forced into the racket by Archana. She further alleged that Archana forced her to develop intimacy with filmmaker Akshay Parija to blackmail him and extort money from him later.

The agency has traced money running into several lakhs deposited by Archana into the account of her one-time associate between 2017 and 2022.