Ex-Jharkhand minister Madhu Koda's bail petition rejected

The special vigilance court has rejected a bail petition of former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, currently in judicial custody since November 30 in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

Judge Binoy Kant Khan yesterday dismissed the petition which was filed by Koda on April 13.

Koda was arrested by vigilance sleuths from Chaibasa after a social worker, Durga Oraon, moved vigilance bureau accusing the minister and some of his ex-cabinet members of acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income.

Former ministers Enos Ekka, Harinarayan Rai and Kamlesh Singh are also facing DA charges and are currently in judicial custody.

Koda is also facing illegal investment and money laundering charges running into several crores of rupees with the income tax department and the Enforcement Directorate jointly investigating after a series of raids from October 31.