Questioning of Koda, cabinet colleagues continues

Ranchi, Dec 7: The interrogation of former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and his cabinet colleague Kamlesh Singh continued for the second day in jail Monday as officials probed deeper into the Rs.2,500 crore money laundering scam. Another former minister, Bhanu Pratap Sahi was questioned at the vigilance department.

Sahi appeared at the vigilance bureau office here in response to its summons. He was questioned for more than three hours, a vigilance official said.

Koda and Kamlesh Singh, who are at the Birsa Munda Central jail here, were arrested Nov 30. Two other former ministers, Enos Ekka and Harinarayan Rai, are also in the same jail.

"The interrogation of Koda and Kamlesh began Sunday. They were interrogated for nearly four hours and it continued on Monday. The interrogation will carry on till Dec 12," said an official in the Jharkhand vigilance bureau that is investigating them for amassing wealth beyond their known sources of income.

He added that the two were being evasive. Koda is learnt to be saying that he does not remember when asked about details.

Sources in the vigilance bureau added that Koda was being questioned on his investments, properties, money invested in foreign countries as well as links with his close associates Vinod Sinha and Sanjay Chaudhary. The Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate have issued separate arrest warrants against Sinha and Chaudhary.

The vigilance bureau had lodged a first information report (FIR) against Koda and three former cabinet colleagues -- Kamlesh Singh, Sahi and Tirkey -- on July 22.

The charges against them include siphoning government money, cheating, amassing assets beyond their known sources of income and misusing their official positions. The cases were lodged under different sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Their houses were raided July 24. The vigilance department seized documents related to huge investments, land and jewellery. A revolver was also seized from Tirkey's house.

On Oct 31, the Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate raided 69 places in eight cities across India. These included the homes of Koda, Sinha and Chaudhary.