Ranchi: A special court extended the
judicial custody of former Jharkhand ministers Enos Ekka and
Harinarayan Rai by 20 days from Friday in connection with a
case pertaining to disproportionate assets owned by them.
While giving direction in this regard today, the
Prevention of Money Laundering Act court of GK Singh, did not
set any date for the next date of hearing.
Ekka and Rai, erstwhile ministers in the Arjun Munda and
Madhu Koda governments between 2005 and 2008, were arrested in
September 2009 by the state vigilance bureau following a
complaint case by a social activist, Durga Oraon, who accused
the duo of amassing wealth beyond their known sources of
income during their ministerial period.
The Supreme Court had on March 18 refused to grant bail to
Ekka.
He had moved the apex court after Jharkhand High Court had
on February 4 rejected his bail plea along with that by Rai
holding that they might tamper with evidence and influence
witnesses crucial for the prosecution to establish the case
against them.
The Enforcement Directorate, the Income Tax department,
the state vigilance and the CBI are separately investigating
various corruption related cases, including those against
former chief minister Madhu Koda and another ex-minister
Kamlesh Singh, who are also in judicial custody since November
30, 2009.
PTI
