Varun Gandhi Arrested and Sent for Judicial Custody

Earlier, while addressing the media outside the local court in Pilibhit, Varun said that he was ready to go to jail.

“To protect the people of Uttar Pradesh, the Indian society, I’m ready to take any step,” Varun said. “If my going to jail gives strength to people to stand for their principles, I am ready to go to jail,” he added.

Terming the entire episode a “conspiracy”, the Gandhi scion reiterated his “full faith in the law and judiciary” and said he was ready to fight for the principles he believes in. He concluded by saying, “Justice will prevail.”

The 29-year-old Varun, who is making his electoral debut from Pilibhit, left Delhi earlier in the day but changed his route from Mordabad.

En route to Pilibhit, two vehicles of Varun’s cavalcade were seized by the police on charges of breach of peace and violation of prohibitory orders.

Ahead of the BJP candidate’s arrival, party workers and saffron activists clashed with police.

Supporters shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ tried to block roads to prevent the movement of police leading to a clash between the two sides.

Some of the protesters were detained to tackle the situation.

Varun, who had earlier got anticipatory bail from the Delhi High Court which ended yesterday, did not apply for extension of bail or go to the Supreme Court against the Allahabad High Court dismissing his petition seeking quashing of the FIR.

The FIR was lodged against Varun in Pilibhit on the direction of election authorities after CDs containing his anti-Muslim speeches surfaced.

Senior BJP leader and UP in-charge Kalraj Mishra has already arrived here.

The district administration has stepped up security in the town with about 400 Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel deployed. The paramilitary personnel also took out a flag march in the town.