Sunday, February 13 2005 11:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: An FIR was today (Feb 13, 2005) registered against unknown persons in connection with screening of CDs containing footage of post-Godhra riots in Gujarat as police continue to investigate the role of ruling RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) in Bihar with the Election Commission seeking to know from the ruling party the factual position.

Purnea Police Superintendent Sudhanshu Kumar told sources in Patna today (Feb 13, 2005) that the case was lodged with the Rupauli police station under various sections of the representation of People's Act against unknown persons.

''We are also investigating the role of RJD's Rupauli MLA Bima Bharati in connection with the case'', he said clarifying that Bharati was not named accused.

The Election Commission had asked the State's ruling party to explain the factual position by 1900 hrs (IST) yesterday (Feb 12, 2005) while the RJD had expressed its inability to reply to the notice before the deadline saying both its national and State presidents were pre-occupied with campaigning.

The EC, which had following complaints about showing of the CDs and NDA's stepped-up offensive against the RJD, had asked the State's CEO to issue a notice to the ruling party returnable by 1900 hrs (IST) on February 14, revised its earlier order and directed RJD to furnish an explanation by 17 hrs (IST) last evening.

The CEO had asked State RJD president to explain the ''factual position on whether the display of such CDs was not violative of the model code''.

The EC's word on the RJD's request for allowing the party to reply to the notice by 1700 hrs (IST) tomorrow is still awaited.