New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday granted Varun Gandhi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) anticipatory bail in a criminal case filed against him on the directions of the Election Commission over his alleged anti-Muslim speeches.
Justice Reva Khetrapal granted anticipatory bail to Varun Gandhi till March 27 after his lawyers pleaded before the court that the provision for anticipatory bail wasn't available in Uttar Pradesh. The candidate from Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections was asked to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000.
The first information report (FIR) against Varun Gandhi was filed at Barkheda Police Station in Pilibhit under Sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act.
The grandson of late prime minister Indira Gandhi, Varun Gandhi, who is planning to make his electoral debut this year, has alleged that the FIR, which was lodged nine days after he made the alleged speeches, was a part of a conspiracy to spoil his political career and tarnish his secular image.
In the FIR, Varun Gandhi has been accused of having delivered a communally inflammatory speech on March 8 which has caused insecurity in the minds of one particular community.
The FIR also states that the meeting was held without permission and in violation of Section 144 imposed by the local administration.
Holding that his alleged anti-Muslim speeches amount to violation of the model code of conduct, the Election Commission Wednesday slapped notices on Varun Gandhi and the BJP, seeking their response by Friday and ordered video tracking of his entire campaign. Varun Gandhi replied to the notice on Friday.
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