Thursday, February 24 2005 20:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ballia: Uttar Pradesh police will question Saurav Singh, the teenaged-student whose claim to have topped a NASA competitive test came under cloud following the US space agency's contention that no such examination was conducted by it.

Ballia Superintendent of police Santosh Singh told sources in Ballia that Saurav would be quizzed on the authenticity of his claim on his return to his native village Narhi from Delhi where he had met President A P J Abdul Kalam yesterday (Feb 23, 2005).

He said the gunner provided to the 15-year-old student has been withdrawn.

Agitated over NASA's denial, residents of Narhi blocked traffic on the main state highway and expressed their displeasure at the administration and the media's "attitude."

On the other hand, family members of Saurav refrained from speaking to the media which made a beeline to get their side of the story in the wake of NASA' denial.

Ballia district magistrate V K Malik told sources that he had never made any recommendation to the State Government for felicitating Saurav.

His remarks came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary V K Mittal had said the State Government had received a report from Ballia district administration regarding Saurav's claim and it was being studied.

Uttar Pradesh Government had announced a cash reward of Rs five lakh to Saurav and the State legislative council members also decided to give their one month salary to him.

The rewards have, however, been put on hold following NASA's clarification and Saurav's meeting with State governor T V Rajeswar has been cancelled.