The deadline set by the Income Tax Department to record the statements of at least six associates of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda on Friday expired without them appearing.
The deadline of 11:00 am was set for Mr. Koda’s associates Binod Kumar Sinha, Sanjay Kumar Choudhary, Devendra Mukhia, Basant Bhattacharya, Manoj Punamiya and Anil Bastawde.
A senior IT official said, “Their presence is required to explain certain transactions and events.”
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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.
One of Mr. Koda’s personal assistants, however, appeared before IT officials for questioning, besides another person.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Abdur Razzak Weavers Memorial Hospital, where Mr. Koda was admitted, said his condition was stable,but there was little chance of his discharge on Friday.
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Mr. Koda, who was grilled by IT sleuths, got himself admitted to the hospital four days ago on complaints of stomach ache.
Meanwhile, the officials of the Enforcement Directorate have started preparing the documents and order required for summoning and arrests of certain other associates.
“We are in touch with the headquarters,” an ED source said hinting at the possibility of taking final clearances to take forward the probe in the Hawala transaction and illegal investments by Mr. Koda and his men worth Rs 2,000 crores.
The IT department is preparing a list of seizures and sealing certain rooms and lockers at the premises of Mr. Koda and his associates.