Weeks after ducking summons in the 2000 crore rupees hawala scam, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda was on Monday arrested by the Vigilance Commission in a disproportionate assets case and remanded to 14 days judicial custody. Koda, who is being jointly investigated by the Vigilance Commission, Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate, was arrested from his residence in Chaibasa in West Singhbhum district. His former ministerial colleague Kamalesh Singh was also arrested from Palamau district. Inspector General of Police (Vigilance), M V Rao said, arrests were necessary for further investigation. Mr Koda had repeatedly avoided appearing before the Enforcement Directorate and the state Vigilance Commission in connection with the disproportionate asset and the Prevention of Money Laundering case against him and his close associates. Sources in the ED said the Directorate will also join the questioning of the former Chief Minister. During raids on his premises, the IT department had claimed to have found evidence of hawala transactions and illegal investments running into more than 2,000 crore rupees. The Enforcement Directorate had registered a case against him on October 10.Meanwhile, In Jharkhand, campaigning for the second phase of elections wil come to an end at 3 p.m. on Monday.In this phase 14 constituencies of the remaining 55 will go to polls on Wednesday. Polling will start at 7 in the morning and will be up to 3 P.M.Leaders of different parties are trying their best to woo the voters.Congress leader Subodhkant Sahay, BJP leader Narendra Modi,RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav, JMM Supremo Sibu Soren and Jharkhand Vikash Morcha leader Babulal Marandi are addressing a series of election meetings on the concluding day of campaigning .AIR correspondent reports that all parties are raising the issues of good governance and a corruption free government in the state.
News On AIR | November 30, 2009 2:09 PM
Madhu Koda remanded to 14 days judicial custody; Campaigning ends in J’khand for 2nd phase of Assembly elections