TOI

New Delhi, Mar 25: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday dismissed BJP candidate Varun Gandhi's petition seeking quashing of an FIR filed against him for his alleged communal speeches in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.

In its order, a division bench comprising justices Imtiyaz Murtaza and S C Nigam said, "the petition stands dismissed", PTI reported.

Varun had on March 19 moved the Allahabad High Court seeking quashing of the FIR which, he claimed, was a result of "a political conspiracy".

The BJP candidate had also approached the Delhi High Court seeking anticipatory bail which was granted to him till March 27. The judge rejected the submission of Delhi Police that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the petition as the FIR against him was lodged in Uttar Pradesh,

In his petition, 29-year-old Varun 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".

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 Varun Gandhi was held without permission and in violation of Section 144 imposed by the local administration.