Odisha Honeytrap Racket: Archana Nag’s Bail Hearing Underway Via Video Call

Bhubaneswar: The hearing of the bail application filed by Archana Nag, who allegedly ran a honeytrap racket in Odisha’s capital luring politicians, bureaucrats and other high-profile persons and then blackmailed them, was held at the Bhubaneswar Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate court via video-conferencing on Tuesday.

According to sources, the hearing was held via online mode from Jharpada jail over security issues.

Meanwhile, the Twin City Commissionerate Police has obtained more information on Archana’s alleged honeytrap racket from Khandagiri police where a complaint was filed accusing her of recording nude videos of a victim.

Archana was arrested last Thursday on charges of extorting money from several influential persons after honey-trapping them. She moved the SDJM court for bail on Monday.

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 his 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: Odisha Honeytrap Racket: ‘Rs 3 Cr Demand & Threat To Cut Filmmaker Akshay Parija Into Pieces’

The Bhubaneswar DCP informed that the woman lodged a complaint with Khandagiri police on October 2, alleging that she was trapped by Archana, who managed to win her confidence after striking a friendship. Later, she succeeded in taking her obscene photos and started blackmailing her. Archana allegedly asked her to develop intimacy with Parija and blackmail him, he added.

Notably, the Commissionerate Police has written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to share details of the deposits and financial transactions made by Archana while a probe is on to assess her assets and the companies functioning in her name.

Archana and her husband Jagabandhu amassed huge properties since their marriage four years ago. They own a palatial three-storey bungalow at Satya Vihar near Palasuni here.

Elaborating on her modus operandi, Bhubaneswar DCP on Sunday said that Archana befriended high-profile people on social media and blackmailed them by clicking their intimate photos with her and some other women of her gang for the purpose of extortion.

Also Read: Archana Nag’s WhatsApp Chat Reveals Honeytrap Plots; Odisha Min Denies Link With Couple