Saturday, December 25 2004 18:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Muzaffarpur: NDA (National Democratic Alliance) convenor and JD-U (Janata Dal-United) leader George Fernandes was today (Dec 25, 2004) in trouble over violation of model code of conduct with the authorities filing a case against him for alleged attempt to bribe voters after he paid money for a woman in a hospital in his Lok Sabha constituency in Muzaffarpur.

Superintendent of Police Amit Lodha said a case was filed under Sec 171(b) of IPC (attempts to induce voters) against the former Union Minister and some of his party workers following a complaint that they paid money to 40-year-old Sunita, who is said to have attempted to commit suicide on Thursday driven by poverty.

Sahara Samay TV channel showed pictures of Fernandes purportedly giving a Rs 500 note to a man by whose side was Sunita standing with her child in hand.

She is said to have jumped into a river from a bridge in the town with her two young children on Thursday. However, some fishermen rescued them after which she was admitted to the hospital.

Lodha said the money has been seized. District Magistrate S K Mishra said a case has been registered.

Elections have been announced in Bihar and the model code of conduct is already in operation.

Reacting quickly to the development, RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) spokesman Shivanand Tiwari said payment of money was in violation of the code of conduct and if Fernandes had done that then the Election Commission should take stern action for violating the code.

Denying the allegation, Fernandes said on coming to learn about the incident of attempted suicide by the woman he went there with his party colleagues to see them. "No money has gone from my hands nor did I have any money," he said adding the allegations were "a lie" and he would file a counter case.