LUCKNOW: Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) general secretary and Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi has been cleared of all charges related to hate speech he allegedly made during 2009 Lok Sabha election campaign in his constituency.
A Pilibhit court has exonerated him of charges of inciting mob violence and firing at police for want of evidence. He has already been acquitted in two cases of hate speech earlier this year. The acquittal has come as a big relief for the BJP leader, who on Saturday also led an agitation against the UPA government in Lucknow.
The cases were lodged against him by the Mayawati government in March 2009, for allegedly making two inflammatory speeches against a minority community and inciting violence and firing at police. He was arrested.
The first FIR against Varun was lodged on March 17, 2009 at Barkhera police station and the second one a day later in Dal Chand for allegedly making speeches with communal overtones. He was charged under the Indian Penal Code and Representation of People Act for promoting enmity and supporting acts prejudicial to communal harmony. The third FIR was lodged against Varun on charges of instigating violence on March 28, 2009, when his supporters attacked police and indulged in violence after the court remanded him in judicial custody. He was later released on bail. (Agencies)
