Hazaribagh (Jharkhand): A First Information Report (FIR) was today (Apr 21, 2004) lodged against External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and one of his bodyguards by Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Mahendra Ram Prajapati for allegedly abusing and assaulting him at a polling booth in Hazaribagh Lok Sabha constituency during the polls yesterday (Apr 20, 2004), the police said.

Filed at the Hazaribagh Sadar police station, the FIR alleged that the incident had affected peaceful polling at the polling station 183 Silwar-Khud in the town and triggered mob fury, leading to the stoning of Sinha's car.

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The sub divisional officer of Hazaribagh Sadar, Sudashan Prasad Singh, inquired into the incident and informed Deputy Commissioner, Manikant Azad, on whose direction the FIR was lodged, the sources said.

Another FIR was filed by another bodyguard of the External Affairs Minister against Independent Prasant Sahai, the grandson of former Chief Minister late L K Sahai.

The FIR alleged that Sahai, who was in the election fray, had instigated a mob to stone Sinha's car.

The Union Minister escaped unhurt when alleged supporters of CPI candidate Bhubaneswar Prasad Mehta had stoned Sinha's car.

The FIR against Sinha was the second in a month. Earlier, the Ranchi district administration had filed an FIR against him for allegedly flouting the model code of conduct.