Corruption Watch

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<b>Madhu Koda bought 600 vehicles to please supporters</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, who was, on Wednesday, interrogated for his role in a Rs 2,500 crore money laundering scam, distributed hundreds of vehicles to supporters and used the mines department and electricity board to expand his financial empire, officials in Ranchi said.

Koda, an independent Lok Sabha MP, purchased and distributed around 600 bikes, 25 to 30 Scorpios, Boleros and other four wheelers to his supporters during the Lok Sabha elections this year, officials in the income tax department said.

On Tuesday, informed sources said, IT sleuths searched two showrooms of motor bikes and four wheelers. They found that 200 bikes had been sold in one day from one showroom and have now sought help from the transport department to seek registration details.

Koda is also charged with misusing his position as mines and geology minister and later as chief minister. In the name of allocating mines, Koda allegedly sent a recommendation to the central government suggesting a list of names for the lease of 17 iron ore mines, sources said.

The state government recommends to New Delhi the allocation of bauxite and limestone as well as survey work of gold and diamonds.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->