Koda's close aide in Dubai; ED moves to revoke passport

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will soon move a court for revoking the passport of a close aide of arrested former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, who is believed to be in Dubai.

Official sources said Sanjay Chowdhary, Koda's aide and the suspected frontman for all alleged dubious deals of the former chief minister, had left for Dubai as soon as the ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in the multi-crore scam.

They said Chowdhary has permanent residentship of Dubai and used to head the hawala and foreign investment operations of the 38-year-old Jharkhand leader, who was arrested on Monday by the state vigilance department and subsequently remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.

Chowdhary had been evading the ED and the Income Tax authorities ever since the case first came to light.

Sources said it was only after a lookout notice was issued against Chowdhary that the authorities realised he had fled to Dubai.

In order to prevent his escape to other countries, his passport would be revoked and a subsequent arrest warrant would be obtained from a competent court, sources said.

Chowdhary is said to be on the board of many companies floated by Koda and his men allegedly for routing the siphoned off money for illegal investments abroad.