Jha, a key accused in the Rs.170-million flood relief scam in Bihar, has apparently disclosed to interrogating officials that he had purchased 17 flats and houses in different parts of India, including five in Patna alone.

He also told the officials that he bought over a dozen cars because he was hungry for expensive cars, vigilance bureau sources said.

"Jha revealed several things, including how he spent the money and where. Besides, he also gave the names of some politicians having close links with some key accused in the scam and some top officials involved," said an official of state vigilance bureau.

Jha last Wednesday surrendered before a court here and was remanded in judicial custody till June 10 and later police took him on remand for interrogation.

He turned himself in before the court a day after non-bailable warrants were issued here against him, former Patna district magistrate Gautam Goswami and seven others.

They have been accused of misappropriating public money worth Rs.170 million meant to provide relief to the victims of the Bihar floods last year.

Jha, a former Lok Janshakti Party leader who was expelled from the party after his name figured in the scam two months ago, is the proprietor of a printing press and another firm, Baba Satya Sai Industries (BSSI), which is allegedly responsible for swindling the 2004 flood money.

He is also allegedly involved in a case relating to irregularities in the execution of a literacy project. Last month the income tax department had attached the immovable assets of Jha, his father, his estranged wife and girlfriend Nidhi Jha.