TNN, Feb 5, 2011, 10.32am IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/HC-rejects-bail-pleas-of-ex-ministers/articleshow/7428105.cms

Ranchi: The Jharkhand high court on Friday rejected the bail petitions of former ministers Enos Ekka and Hari Narayan Rai accused in the money-laundering and disproportionate assets cases.

The single bench court of Justice R K Merathia rejected the bail petition of both Rai and Ekka. Rai had sought bail in the money-laundering case against him while Ekka had filed petition seeking bail in both disproportionate asset and money-laundering cases lodged against him.

The special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court had earlier rejected the bail petitions of both Rai and Ekka and they filed fresh petitions in the high court.

Ekka and Rai are both lodged in Birsa Munda central jail after having surrendered in the disproportionate assets case on August 17, 2009. Enforcement Directorate (ED) had taken both the ex-ministers on remand on October 13.

In the chargesheet filed by ED, it was reported that Ekka and Rai acquired disproportionate assets worth Rs 6.67 crore and Rs 1.63 crore respectively.

Meanwhile, as many as 24 fodder scam convicts who were sentenced last week by the special CBI court were granted bail by the high court on Friday. The single bench court of Justice Sushil Harkauli granted bail to the fodder scam convicts.