Court acquits BJP MP Varun Gandhi in one hate speech case

Pilibhit: Pilibhit Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Wednesday acquitted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Varun Gandhi in one of the hate speech cases. The BJP leader was acquitted by Chief Judicial Magistrate Abdul Qayum where police had filed a chargesheet in the case, which was lodged at Sadar Kotwali police station.

He has been acquitted in the alleged hate speech given in Dalchand Colony in Pilibhit. Hearing on another alleged hate speech case in Barkhera will come up in the court on March 1.

Varun released a statement after the court's verdict that said: "I have always reposed my faith in the judiciary and I welcome the decision of the court that upholds my commitment to a strong and united India. I would like to thank all the people who have stood by me and believed in me through this difficult time. I am especially grateful to the people of Uttar Pradesh and Pilibhit who elected me. I am determined to remain worthy of that support as we work together confidently and courageously for the peace and progress of our great nation."

Varun was booked under various sections of Indian Penal Code and the People's Representative Act in 2009 for promoting enmity and disturbing harmony through provocative speeches in Pilibhit.

Varun, great-grandson of the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, had been accused of making inflammatory comments against Muslims in Pilibhit in the run-up to the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)