Zeenews Bureau
Ranchi: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday made the first arrest in the Madu Koda scam case. Vikas Sinha, who is the brother of Koda’s key aide Binod Sinha, was taken into custody after conclusive evidence emerged about his involvement in multi-crore hawala transactions.
Vikas’ arrest came following his intense interrogation by ED sleuths first in Jamshedpur and later in their office here. The ED has also, reportedly, recovered incriminating documents from his office in Jamshedpur.
His brother Binod, who is absconding, is thought to be the key man behind the Rs 4000 crore mega scam.
Vikas has been sent to 14 days judicial custody.
Enforcement Directorate is also in possession of documents that prove Koda and his associates had allegedly stashed huge sums of money in Swiss banks.
The IT department, which handed over the documents to the ED, would be attaching the documents to a letter of request to Swiss authorities for ascertaining the exact amount allegedly stashed by Koda and his associates, official sources said.
Besides Switzerland, the bank documents suggested that the former Chief Minister and his associates had allegedly stashed money in countries like Thailand and Mauritius
The ED also uncovered details of a transfer of Rs 550 crore to Dubai for overseas investments and acquisitions. One of Koda's associate was also negotiating to acquire an SEZ in Noida for a staggering Rs 4,800 crore.
Meanwhile, the deadline set by the Income Tax Department to record the statements of at least six close associates of Koda expired without them appearing.
The deadline of 11:00 am was set for Koda's associates Binod Kumar Sinha, Sanjay Kumar Choudhary, Devendra Mukhia, Basant Bhattacharya, Manoj Punamiya and Anil Bastawde.
They were asked to appear before the Additional Director of Income Tax (Investigation) in connection with continuing search and seizure operation at 70 places in nine cities
across the country.
A senior IT official said, "Their presence is required to explain certain transactions and events."
One of Koda's personal assistants, however, appeared before IT officials for questioning, besides another person.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Apollo Hospital, where Koda was admitted, said his condition was stable, but there was little chance of his discharge today.
Koda, who was grilled by IT sleuths, got himself admitted to the hospital four days ago on complaints of stomach ache.
The IT department is also preparing a list of seizures and sealing certain rooms and lockers at the premises of Koda and his associates.