Apollo Hospital to decide on Madhu Koda's release

Apollo Hospital authorities said Saturday doctors will decide whether to release former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, who is to be quizzed further over a Rs.2,500 crore money laundering scam.

"A four-member medical team comprising general physician, neuro physician and others are reviewing the medical condition of Koda. Then the team will decide regarding his release," a hospital official told IANS.

According to an official, the Enforcement Directorate may arrest Koda after he is discharged from the hospital. Koda was hospitalized Nov 3 once it became clear that he was likely to be arrested.

The Directorate Friday arrested Vikas Sinha, brother of Vinod Sinha and the kingpin of illegal transactions of Rs.2,500 crore. According to Income Tax officials, Vinod Sinha sent Rs.550 crore through hawala to countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Liberia.

The Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate issued look out notice against six people who failed to appear before them Friday.

The Income Tax department Nov 2 had asked Vinod Sinha, Sanjay Kumar Choudhary, Devendra Mukhiya, Basant Bhattacharya, Manoj Punamiya and Anil Bastawde to appear before it by 11 a.m. Friday. None of them turned up.

On Oct 9, the Enforcement Directorate lodged a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Koda, the three former ministers as well as his associates Vinod Sinha and Chaudhary.

Last updated on Nov 7^th, 2009 at 13:29 pm IST--IANS