Numeric-Stepper Plugin not working in IE-8 with jquery-1.4.1 version

[sumanchatterjee]

Numeric-Stepper Plugin not working in IE-8 and below, with jquery-1.4.1 version. Cannot use another version as other plugins have dependency on jquery-1.4.1 version. Works fine in all browsers and version except IE8 and below. Need support for IE-8 and IE-7. An Invalid argument error is coming:-

SCRIPT87: Invalid argument.
jquery-1.4.1.js, line 113 character 478

Have made on change in jquery.stepper.js to remove an earlier error coming with jquery-1.4.1.js:-

Change:- line number 53
removed // delete $data.stepper;
as var $data = $(this).data(); in line number 52 was coming null

Please advice a solution