Ranchi, Nov 27 (IANS) Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda failed to appear before vigilance officials Friday for questioning over his alleged involvement in a Rs.2,500 crore money-laundering scam. He has been issued fresh summons by the vigilance bureau for Dec 4.
The fresh summons were issued to Koda Friday evening for questioning related to assets allegedly amassed by him beyond his known sources of income.

According to sources, Koda told the vigilance bureau he was busy in election campaigning and would appear before it after the five-phased Jharkhand assembly polls end Dec 18.

“Koda failed to appear before us Friday. We have again sent summons to him and we will take recourse to legal measures to ensure his presence,” M.V. Rao, inspector general, vigilance bureau, told IANS.

The state vigilance department in August filed a case against Koda and three former ministers - Bandhu Tirkey, Bhanu Pratap Shahi and Kamlesh Singh - for graft.

The houses of the four were searched by the vigilance department in September and cash and documents detailing huge amounts of investments and land purchases were allegedly seized. A country-made revolver was also recovered from Tirkey’s house.

Koda also failed to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on the three dates - Nov 11, 15, and 19 - he was summoned.