PTI

Allahabad, Mar 19: BJP leader Varun Gandhi, against whom a criminal case has been filed on the directive of the Election Commission over his anti-Muslim speeches, on Thursday 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.

In the FIR, Varun has been accused of having delivered an "inciting speech" on March 8 which has "caused insecurity in the minds of one particular community".

The FIR also states that he meeting addressed by held was held without permission and in violation of Section 144 imposed by the local administration.

Senior advocate Gopal Chaturvedi is likely to argue the case on Varun's behalf, though it was not clear when the matter was likely to come up for hearing.

Holding that his anti-Muslim speeches amount to violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission yesterday slapped notices on Varun and BJP seeking their response by Friday and ordered video tracking of his entire campaign.