Legal Battle Intensifies: ED Seeks Trial Continuation in Koda Money Laundering Case

The Supreme Court advised the Enforcement Directorate to request a high court vacation of the stay on former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda's money laundering trial. The ED contests the Jharkhand High Court's pause on proceedings after admitting Koda's plea against charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The Supreme Court has directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to seek the removal of a stay from the high court, concerning the trial against former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda in a money laundering case.

The ED is challenging a November 8, 2023, Jharkhand High Court order that stayed trial proceedings after admitting Koda's plea against the framing of charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The ED argued that the trial should not have been halted at this stage, with 25 out of the 77 witnesses already examined.

The bench, which heard submissions from Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED, encouraged the agency to promptly address the high court with its concerns. The Supreme Court has postponed its own consideration of the ED's plea, suggesting the agency's application be expedited by the high court. A special PMLA court in Ranchi had charged Koda and five others concerning a Rs 3,500 crore money laundering scheme.