Ranchi: Jharkhand High Court today rejected former Chief Minister Madhu Koda`s petition seeking a ban on a newly-launched book titled `Madhu Koda Loot Raj`.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Tatia and Justice P P Bhatt dismissed the petition on the grounds of freedom of speech. Koda had on January 12 moved the court praying for a ban on the book authored by BJP leader Saryu Roy, who was a member of the state assembly during Koda`s tenure from 2006 and 2008.
The book on purported loot of mineral resources in the state was released by Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy here on January 15. Koda is currently under judicial custody after his arrest on November 30, 2009 on charges of financial irregularities.