Madhu Koda in ICU after I-T grilling
Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, under the scanner for allegedly amassing over Rs 2,000 crore, was admitted to the intensive care unit of Apollo Hospital here on Tuesday after he complained of severe stomach pain.
Koda complained of uneasiness on Tuesday morning while he was being interrogated by I-T officials at his Ranchi residence. He has a history of medical problems. Meanwhile, income-tax (I-T) officials continued raids at his premises across the country for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday.
“As he (Koda) has complained of severe stomach pain, we are conducting some medical investigations. He is also suffering from high blood pressure. A fortnight ago, he was operated upon for removal of kidney stones. He is now under observation,” said Dr D P Sinha, Superintendent, Apollo Hospital. Koda’s condition is reported to be stable. The former chief minister is alleged to have acquired disproportionate assets worth about Rs 2, 000 crore, which include investments in Malaysia and Thailand. The I-T department conducted raids at 70 locations, and investment records allegedly belonging to Koda and his six close associates were seized during raids in Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jaipur, Delhi, Jamshedpur, Ranchi and Chaibasa.
The department also issued notices to six of Koda’s associates—Vinod Sinha, Sanjay Chaudhary, Devendra Mukhiya, Basant Bhattacharya, Manoj Puniya and Bhim Singh—asking them to appear before the additional directorate (investigation) of income-tax to explain the transactions.
“If they fail to appear on the said date, the department will be constrained to take strict legal actions as permissible under various laws,” Director General (Investigation) Anjani Kumar said, adding that Koda was not cooperating with the investigation.
