In Jharkhand, different teams of the CBI carried out searches today at the residences of five MLAs in various parts of the state in connection with cash-for-vote scam of 2010 Rajya Sabha elections.

The searches were carried out at residences of Simon Marandi of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha at Pakur and Umashankar Akela of BJP at Barhi.

The premises of three other MLAs belonging to Congress that were raided are of Rajesh Ranjan at Godda, Yogendra Sao at Hazaribagh and Sawna Lakra at Ranchi.

An arrest warrant is already out against another JMM MLA Sita Soren on charges of abducting her bodyguard who is also a witness in the cash for vote case. Ms. Soren has gone in hiding.

The agency had filed an FIR after an order from the Jharkhand High Court last month. The matter came to light in 2010 itself after a media expose where six MLAs were allegedly caught on tape expressing willingness to vote in favor of a particular candidate in return of monetary gains.