HC jolt to Archana’s aide Shradhanjali, interim protection denied

In a major jolt to Shradhanjali Behera, the associate of honey trap mastermind Archana Nag, the Orissa High Court on Wednesday refused to grant her interim protection in connection with the case.  

Shradhanjali had moved the State’s apex court seeking anticipatory bail apprehending her arrest in the case. During the hearing today, the petitioner’s counsel appealed for interim protection citing that no FIR has been registered against her. 

However, the ED told the court that it usually does not register FIR and instead files an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR). On the basis of the ECIR, the enforcement agency takes forward the probe. 

If any incriminating materials and evidence is recovered from the accused during the course of the investigation, the ED has the power to arrest the accused. After completion of the probe, a chargesheet is filed on the basis of the ECIR.   

The ED told the court that Sradhanjali was questioned on the basis of the ECIR, but she did not cooperate in the investigation. The ED also alleged that she has been changing her ‘hideouts’ frequently.  

Taking note of the argument, the HC refused to grant interim protection to Shradhanjali and directed her to extend full cooperation to the ED in the investigation and depose before it whenever summoned. 

The next hearing has been scheduled on January 17, 2023.

Reported by Gautam Panda, OTV