Varun moves HC challenging FIR, files for bail

BJP leader Varun Gandhi, against whom a criminal case has been filed on the directive of the Election Commission over his anti-Muslim speeches, today moved the Allahabad High Court seeking quashing of the FIR which, he claimed, was a result of "a political conspiracy".

In his petition, 29-year-old Varun has challenged the FIR filed on March 17 at Barkheda Police Station 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 former prime minister Indira Gandhi who is planning to make his electoral debut in the upcoming general elections as BJP candidate from Pilibhit alleged in his petition that the FIR, which was lodged nine days after he made the speeches, was "a part of a political conspiracy" to spoil his political career and tarnish his "secular image".

He has also alleged that the video footage of a public meeting, on the basis of which the Election Commission has taken the action, "has been tampered with" and did not contain his voice.

Bail application:  Varun also approached the Delhi High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

Varun's petition was mentioned before a Bench headed by Chief Justice A P Shah by his counsel who said there was an apprehension of his arrest since the provision for anticipatory bail was not available in Uttar Pradesh.