‘No direct proof to link Kripashankar with scam’

The Enforcement Directorate has so far found no direct evidence of financial dealings between former chief minister of Jharkhand Madhu Koda and Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh. HT reports

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has so far found no direct evidence of financial dealings between former chief minister of Jharkhand Madhu Koda and Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh.

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“In the searches carried out by the ED, no direct evidence which involves any financial linkage between Madhu Koda and Kripashankar Singh has come to light,” states the affidavit filed by Anil G Wasnik, assistant director, ED.

The affidavit has been filed in reply to a public interest litigation filed by Sanjay Tiwari, who has sought in depth investigation into alleged huge wealth amassed by the Congress leader.

Wasnik further stated that a first information report has been lodged against Koda on July 2, 2008, under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Koda’s colleague in the ministry, Kamlesh Singh, has also been arrested in the case, purportedly involving hawala transactions to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore.

Wasnik, however, has refused to divulge steps intended to be taken by ED in the case saying it would be prejudicial to smooth investigation.

The affidavit, however, is limited to the extent of offences under Prevention of Money Laundering Act and it does not deal with other allegations against Kripashankar Singh.

Tiwari’s petition lists numerous immovable properties purchased in the name of the Congress leader and his family members apart from cash transactions running into crores of rupees.

Income Tax Department and the Anti Corruption Bureau have also initiated investigation into allegations made by Tiwari into alleged disproportionate assets of Singh.