I-T officials restarts interrogation of Koda, aides

RANCHI: Income tax (I-T) officials on Tuesday resumed the interrogation of former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda in the Rs 2,000-crore money laundering and illegal investment case.

The officials reached Mr Koda���s residence at Deen Dayal Nagar here at 1 pm for interrogation. However, the official refused to divulge details of the findings. The questioning had to be suspended after Mr Koda was hospitalised on November 3, following complaints of stomach pain and high blood pressure.

The officials also questioned his associates Bhim Singh, Basant Bhattacharya, Arun Srivastava and Devendra Mukhiya at the I-T office. Mr Koda has been summoned to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on November 15 for questioning.

However, the kingpins of the scam ��� Vinod Sinha and Sanjay Chaudhary ��� are still at large even after 10 days of continuous raids.

Meanwhile, the ED has decided to write to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to enquire about the alleged involvement of Mr Koda and his associates in illegal exports and imports made by their companies.

"There are several companies located in Mumbai, Kolkata which are owned by Koda and Co, which, according to the information, have indulged in illegal export and imports. Therefore, we are taking the help of DRI," said a source.

The ED, notably, is already investigating the hawala transactions made by their companies. It has found evidence indicating hawala transactions of more than Rs 500 crore.