Monday, January 17 2005 13:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: An FIR was today (Jan 17, 2005) lodged against three unknown persons in connection with the killing of CPI-ML (Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist)-Liberation MLA Mahendra Prasad Singh.

Giridih Superintendent of Police, Deepak Verma said that the party's district president Bijesh Singh lodged the FIR against three unknown persons for their involvement in gunning down Singh at Durgi Dhowaiya village in Giridih district of Jharkhand yesterday (Jan 16, 2005). The SP denied media reports that an FIR had been filed against a State Minister in connection with the incident.

The Superintendent of Police said that the MLA's wife had given a written complaint alleging involvement of Jharkhand Industries Minister Ravindra Rai in the killing.

"Only one FIR is filed in one case which in this case was filed by Bijesh Singh. We are investigating the matter," he added.

The CPI (ML-liberation) had alleged it was a political killing.