Narayanan's photograph was the first to appear in the announcement regarding `missing' persons, beamed by the Bangalore Doordarshan on Monday evening.

Those who happened to view the Kannada programme Kaaneyadavarabagge prakatane, were shocked to see Narayanan's portrait. Apparently, DD realised the major lapse a second too late. But the damage was already done.

Viewers heaved a sigh of relief as the photo was flashed out immediately afterward without an announcement accompanying the picture.

When contacted, a DD official who did not want to be quoted, admitted the lapse. The error was due to a ``signal mix-up'', he said.