Koda again fails to appear before vigilance officials

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, who is allegedly involved in a Rs.2,500 crore money-laundering scam, again failed to appear before vigilance officials for questioning today.

Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, who is allegedly involved in a Rs.2,500 crore money-laundering scam, again failed to appear before vigilance officials for questioning Friday.

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The vigilance bureau had summoned Koda for interrogation Friday after he failed to appear on the three dates -- Nov 11, 15, and 19 -- it had called him. According to sources, Koda had told the vigilance bureau he was busy in the election campaign and would appear before it after the ongoing five-phase polls to the state assembly ended Dec 18.

"Koda failed to appear before us Friday. We will again send summons to him and take the help of legal measures to ensure his presence," M.V. Rao, inspector general, vigilance bureau, told IANS.

The state vigilance department August lodged a case against Koda and three former ministers -- Bandhu Tirkey, Bhanu Pratap Shahi and Kamlesh Singh -- for graft.

The houses of all four were raided by the vigilance department September and cash and documents detailing huge amounts of investments and land purchases were seized. A country-made revolver was also seized from Tirkey's house.