TNN | Apr 9, 2012, 10.41PM IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Upbeat-Koda-in-Prevention-of-Money-Laundering-Act-court/articleshow/12600886.cms

RANCHI: The relief of getting bail from the Jharkhand high court was clearly visible on the face of former chief minister Madhu Koda when he appeared before the special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) here on Monday.

He appeared in the court of special judge G K Singh along with others, including Arvind Vyas and Binod Sinha, accused in money laundering cases.

Koda, who was arrested on November 30, 2009, from Chaibasa in West Singhbhum by the state vigilance bureau, which was initially investigating the case, is still in jail as he has to get bail in four other cases. Later, the case was taken up by the CBI on a directive from the high court. He was granted bail by the high court on last Thursday in the case of alleged illegal allotment of mines to private companies during his tenure as chief minister as well as the mines minister from September 2006 to August 2008.

"I am feeling relief after getting bail from the high court. I will soon file petition before the court for other cases as well," said Koda with a smile on his face but declined to make further comments.

"The case is still pending in the court and it will not be correct for me to make any remark. I have faith in the judicial process and will follow the instruction," Koda added.

Advocate S R Das, who appeared for ED, said Koda misused his office to earn money and accumulated a wealth of around Rs 1,340.07 crore. Most of the money was made during his tenure as chief minister in the 2006-2008 period.