PTI
New Delhi, Apr 16: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the release of BJP leader Varun Gandhi on parole for two weeks till May 1.
The apex court, however, put stringent conditions on his speech and directed Varun to give an undertaking to Etah Jail authorities that he will not make any "inflammatory or provocative speech that causes communal disharmony" and is against community, religion, race and could disturb public order.
After his release from jail, Varun, who has been detained under the National Security Act, will also have to file an identical undertaking before the Supreme Court by Monday.
The Supreme Court said it was not satisfied with the contents of undertaking given by Varun on Tuesday when he promised not to make any provocative speeches.
"Having regard to the facts and circumstances, we are inclined to release him on parole for two weeks on condition that he will give an undertaking before the superintendent of Etah Jail that he will not make such speeches during the parole which is likely to cause communal disturbance and hatred among any caste and community," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said, PTI reported.
The BJP leader has to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of like amount for his release on parole. He had also been ordered to inform the district magistrate in Pilibhit of his whereabouts in Uttar Pradesh.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday had accepted the Supreme Court suggestion on the undertaking by Varun after the apex court described the detention under the stringent NSA act as a "drastic step."
The court had said Varun's plea for bail could be accepted only if he comes out with a promise that he will not make provocative speeches during his campaign.
Varun was detained under NSA on March 28 on charges of inciting communal passion by making provocative speeches during election meetings in Pilibhit on March 7 and 8. He was lodged in the district jail in Pilibhit and later moved to Etah prison for security reasons.
The filing of nomination papers for Pilibhit starts from April 17.