A special anti-money laundering court in Jharkhand has framed charges against 2 of Madhu Koda's former ministerial colleagues -- Hari Narayan Rai and Enos Ekka -- under a stringent Act.
The legal noose around ex-Chief Minister Madhu Koda appears to be tightening with a special anti-money laundering court in Jharkhand framing charges against two of his former ministerial colleagues -- Hari Narayan Rai and Enos Ekka -- under a stringent Act.
With framing of charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the case a few days back by the Ranchi court, the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI are hoping that it would bolster their case against Koda who has been accused of money laundering and possessing assets disproportionate to known sources of income against Koda .
This is the first case in which charges have been framed under PMLA in the country.
The ED has accused the former ministers in Koda government-- Ekka and Rai-- of having laundered Rs 13.88 crore and Rs 4.83 crore respectively in the case.
According to ED sources, the agencies involved in the probe now expect similar charges to be framed against Koda and other associates.
Koda, who was Jharkhand Chief Minister from September 2006 to August 2008, was arrested on November 30, 2009. He is lodged in the Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi.
In its chargesheet filed in the court earlier this year, the Enforcement Directorate has accused Koda of amassing illegal wealth of over Rs 1,340 crore in connivance with four of his close associates.
According to the charge sheet in the multi-crore illegal investment and hawala transactions case, Koda has one acre of land costing Rs 1.
5 lakh at Mesra, another land of Rs four lakh at Jaganathpur and an LIC policy worth about Rs 33 lakh.
"The tacit understanding between Madhu Koda and Binod Sinha to hide the criminal activities was clearly projected as separate, different and lawful businesses by the said four persons," the charge sheet had said, indicating the role of the four associates along with Koda.
The ED submitted that the probe in the case is an "ongoing investigation" and it is also awaiting replies to its Letters Rogatory (LRs) sent to countries like Dubai, Sweden, Thailand, Indonesia and Liberia to probe illegal investments.
Koda and his associates are facing inquiries by various probe agencies like the Income Tax department, the CBI and the Jharkhand Vigilance Bureau regarding the alleged illegal investments.
The charge sheet claimed that all of these (four accused) are "deeply involved in committing the offence of money laundering."
On November 12, last year, the CBI had filed a separate charge sheet against Koda and others.
Evidence against Koda was secured during countrywide raids, including on the premises of his associates, by the ED and the IT department in October 2009 which allegedly showed huge illegal investments and hawala transactions during Koda's tenure as the chief minister.
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