Jamshedpur: Former Jharkhand
Chief Minister Madhu Koda, who has failed to appear before the
Enforcement Directorate in connection with the money
laundering case against him, on Saturday said he would be available
for questioning only after the Assembly polls.
"The summons by the ED were delivered at my Ranchi
residence only on November 18, a day before the appearance
when I was busy campaigning (for assembly polls) in Chaibasa,"
Koda said here when asked by reporters why he failed to appear
before the agency on November 19.
Koda said he would be available only after the conclusion
of Jharkhand state Assembly polls on December 18.
The former Jharkhand Chief Minister has put up six
candidates, including his wife Gita on behalf on Jharkhand
Navanirman Morcha for the polls.
"Moreover, the ED wanted certain documents like
passport, which I don't have as they must be with either the
income tax authorities or vigilance department (both the
agencies had raided Koda's residence). Unless I get them how
can I show them," he said.
He refused to comment on his 'aides' Sanjay Choudhary and
Binod Sinha, who are facing arrest warrants following the raid
by Income Tax authorities on about 70 premises, including
Koda's residences, and unearthed documents that allegedly
pointed to hawala transactions and illegal investment to the
tune of over Rs 2000 crore.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 15:11