Ranchi, Nov 26 (IANS) Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, allegedly involved in money-laundering of Rs.2,500 crore, has been summoned by the state vigilance bureau for questioning Saturday, police said.
Madhu Koda will be questioned Nov 28, Inspector General of Police of the Jharkhand vigilance bureau M.V. Rao told IANS Thursday.

The Jharkhand vigilance department in August this year had lodged a first information report (FIR) against Koda and his three ex-cabinet colleagues Bandhu Tirkey, Bhanu Pratap Sahi and Kamlesh Singh.

Their homes were also raided by the vigilance department in September. In the raid, the vigilance department had seized documents related to huge investments, cash, and other incriminating documents related to land purchase. A country made revolver was also seized from Tirkey’s house.

Sources close to Koda however say that he may not appear before the vigilance department as he is busy campaigning for the five-phase assembly polls that began Nov 25.

Koda has floated the Jharkhand Navnirman Morcha (JNM) and announced names of six candidates to fight the assembly polls. His wife, Geeta Koda, is also a nominee from Jaggarnathpur assembly constituency and is likely to file her nomination Friday or Saturday.

Earlier, Koda did not appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on three dates Nov 11, 15 and 19. He sent them a letter seeking reprieve till the election.

“I will appear before the ED after the polls are over,” Koda said last week. He did not seem worried by raids at his house and is busy campaigning for the candidates fighting under the banner of JNM.

Like Koda, his ex-cabinet colleagues also failed to appear before the vigilance department for interrogation, though the Jharkhand vigilance bureau had summoned them.

“We will summon them again (three ex-ministers) for interrogation,” said Rao.