ED raids houses of blackmailer Archana Nag over money laundering

Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today raided multiple places in connection with money laundering allegation against Archana Nag, who is accused of extorting lakhs of rupees from politicians, businessmen and influential persons by blackmailing them with videos of intimate moments between her and them.

Officers of the agency conducted raids at six locations including Archana’s parental house in Kesinga area of Kalahandi district and her house in Satya Vihar, Bhubaneswar.

The searches were being carried out in the presence of CRPF and police personnel.

The ED had earlier registered a case against Archana, her husband Jagabandhu Chand, and their associates Khageswar Patra and Shradhanjali Behera.

The couple has been arrested and lodged in Jharpada Special Jail here while their associates are on the run.

The agency is likely to trace the source of the money received by the husband-wife duo and bring their bank accounts and properties under the purview of the investigation.

The case has sent shockwaves across the state with speculations being rife about the involvement of several senior politicians.

During probe, she was found in possession of palatial house in Bhubaneswar, luxurious cars and valuables worth crores.

Archana and her husband Jagabandhu Chand amassed assets worth around Rs 30 crore within a span of four years from 2018 to 2022, a police official had said.