Saturday, October 22 2005 09:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: The Center yesterday (Oct 21, 2005) ruled out ordering a probe into filmstar-turned Congress MP Govinda's alleged links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim as shown in clips telecast by a private news channel recently.

"The clips showing Govinda at the inauguration of a store in Dubai were taken 16 years ago. We don't know what was Govinda at that time," Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said when approached by newsmen who wanted to know whether the Center was contemplating any probe following the video footage showing Govinda with Dawood, his brothers Anees, Noora and former associate Chhota Rajan.

"Govinda's political opponents are unnecessarily giving a twist to the issue," the Minister, who is also from the Congress, said.

Moreover, Govinda had not joined the Congress 16 years ago, he said.