The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday directed a CBI probe into corruption charges levelled against former chief minister Madhu Koda, his former cabinet members and aides.

The bench of acting Chief Justice S K Harkouli and Justice D N Patel issued the direction on a PIL filed by social activist, Durga Oraon.     

The petitioner urged the court to direct a CBI probe into the assets of Koda and others as their wealth had allegedly increased manifold after they assumed ministerial charge in the state.

Former ministers Chandra Prakash Choudhary, Bandhu Tirkey, Bhanu Pratap Sahi, Enos Ekka, Harinarayan Rai and Koda's absconding aides---Binod Sinha and Sanjay Choudhary were also named in the PIL.

Koda, Ekka and Rai are at present in judicial custody after the state vigilance bureau arrested them last year in separate disproportionate assets cases.

Koda is already facing money laundering and illegal investment charges filed by the Enforcement Directorate.     

The Income Tax department is also investigating tax evasion against Koda and his aides.