He is named in an FIR (303/99) filed by Hazaribagh Executive Magistrate, Arun Narayan Singh, which accuses him along with ``hundreds'' of unnamed and 11 named persons including Ashok Yadav and Basudeo Prasad -- all residents of Hazaribagh town -- of violating Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the election code of conduct.

The police has taken cognizance of the FIR and slapped Section 188 of the IPC against the accused. The section is bailable. The FIR was filed by Hazaribagh Executive Magistrate Arun Narayan Singh following the directive of the Hazaribagh deputy commissioner-cum-electoral officer Deepak Prasad, at Hazaribagh Sadar Police Station on August 6-7 night. The FIR claims Section 144 was in force and the electoral process was on since July 11 when the ECannounced the schedule of the forthcoming polls, making every congregation (of more than five persons) meeting, rally and procession in public places with loudspeakers, unlawful.

But, Sinha and others violated the same section and the code by ``flagging off'' and ``leading'' a procession in the Hazaribagh town on July 6 evening without prior permission from the concerned authority, alleges the FIR quoting eye witnesses and a video film.

The FIR claims the procession comprised hundreds of Kanwarias (Shiva devotees) backed by a fleet of 18 trucks, buses and vans. Sinha, Yadav and Deo belonging to the BJP, RJD and Congress respectively were in front of the procession. The video film shows Sinha moving in the procession of nearly 700 saffron-clad Kanwarias and offering prayers at the Burda Mahadeo Mandir. But, neither the video film nor the FIR show Sinha addressing the processionists.

In fact, the procession was organised by a Hazaribagh-based non-registered voluntary body -- Yadav Babu Kanwaria Sangh-- which, like many other such bodies, organises processions and tours of the Kanwarias throughout the state every year during the month of Shravan.