A bench of justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai asked the Jharkand High Court Chief Justice for his opinion as to whether the court was willing to spare a special designated court to try the offences.
The bench passed the direction after Additional Solicitor General Mohan Jain and Centre's counsel Subham sought setting up of a special court to deal with the corruption case against Ekka and several others.
The apex court refused to grant any bail to Ekka as sought by senior counsel U U Lalith who said the accused was in jail for the past 32 months.
In separate affidavits, the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate sought setting up of special courts and opposed Ekka's bail plea.
"That it is significant to note that this scam runs into several hundred crores of rupees and the proceeds of crime have been laundered not only in India but also abroad.
"Besides several former ministers including the then chief minister Madhu Koda are involved in the scam. All the accused persons including Madhu Koda are in jail and their bail petitions have been rejected by this honourable court.
"That furthermore, the petitioner is an influential person and in the past while in jail he has tried to tamper with the evidences," the ED said in an affidavit. (More)