Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110758311300.htm

National

Koda’s aide arrested in hawala scam

Ranchi/New Delhi: A close aide of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda became the first person to be arrested on Friday in the Rs.2,000 crore illegal assets case as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) prepared to arrest Mr. Koda who is likely to be discharged from hospital on Saturday.

Vikas Sinha, brother of Binod Sinha who is believed to be the right-hand man of Mr. Koda, was produced before Special Judge Pankaj Kumar who remanded him to 14-day judicial custody. Vikas is allegedly involved in investing and routing Mr. Koda’s money through hawala channels.

A spokesman of the Abdur Razzak Weavers’ Memorial Hospital where Mr. Koda got himself admitted on Tuesday complaining of high blood pressure and stomach ache, said his condition was stable.

“Vikas is being questioned in connection with the alleged hawala and illegal investments,” Deputy Director, ED Prabha Kant, said.