Hawala scam: Koda seeks time from ED

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, who failed to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday, has sought time for his appearance, saying his documents are not ready.

Koda, along with his associates, has been accused of being involved in a Rs 2000-crore hawala scam.

According to one of his advocates, Koda has sought time as some of his documents, wanted by the ED, were either with the Income Tax Department or with the State Vigilance Department.

"These documents are necessary as the ED wanted them during his appearance. He had also sent a letter to the ED on November 13 urging the ED to fix a date and time for his appearance after the assembly elections," he added.

The ED, however, is tightlipped on the issue even as Koda kept department officials waiting on Thursday in their camp office in Ranchi. Koda, who is facing money laundering charges, is currently in his Singhbhum Lok Sabha constituency to campaign for his wife and some other candidates, for the forthcoming Jharkhand assembly elections.

The Income Tax Department had raided nearly 70 premises, including Koda's residences, and seized documents that allegedly indicated hawala transactions and illegal investment to the tune of over Rs 2000 crore.