I-T departments's final warning to Koda aides to turn up

RANCHI: Two key aides of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda have been given a final warning by the Income Tax Department to appear before it for questioning today in connection with the alleged money laundering case, failing which action will be taken against them.

"We are not in direct touch, but we have reasons to believe that they (Binod Sinha and Sanjay Choudhary) will appear before the IT by 4 pm," Additional Director (Investigation-IT), Ajit Srivastav, told reporters here.

Srivastav said it was the final warning for the two and henceforth legal recourse would be taken if they failed to show up.

Sinha and Choudhary, along with Koda and others, are facing charges of money laundering and illegal investments to the tune of over Rs 2000 crore.

The duo has been evading interrogation ever since the IT started countrywide raids on 76 premises on October 31.

Asked if there were any new findings following investigations, Srivastav said, "It may affect investigation adversely. We will disclose at the right time."

He said Koda was questioned yesterday and it would continue today too. The investigation is continuing in Mumbai, Kolkata and Jamshedpur.

Besides Choudhary and Sinha, the IT is also likely to interrogate Manoj Punamiya, reportedly a gold and diamond exporter, and Anil Bastawde, an alleged hawala operator.

November six was the first deadline for them to appear before IT.