Varun Gandhi in Pilibhit jail till Monday

Varun Gandhi has been sent for a two-day judicial custody after he surrendered in the Pilibhit district court on Saturday over his ‘hate’ speech. However, his supporters outside the jail premises pelted stone to police that forced the authority to resort to open firing to disperse the mob.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader had filed an application before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Pilibhit to surrender. The Chief Judicial Magistrate Vipin Kumar will take up the case on Monday.

Speaking with media persons outside the Pilibhit court, Varun said: "I am ready to go to jail. I am willing to fight and stand for my principles.”

He, however, claimed of being a victim of political conspiracy and said: ‘I have been framed, but I have full faith in the law and in the judiciary.’

Earlier in the day, a huge number of BJP supporters carrying saffron flags were gathered outside the jail to prevent the arrest of Varun. Some of them have been arrested after clash with police.

On Friday, Varun had withdrawn his anticipatory bail application from the Delhi High Court. The court had granted him anticipatory bail on March 20.

The 29-year-old leader, who is to contest in his first parliamentary election, took the decision to withdraw the bail application and surrender after the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday (March 25) rejected his petition seeking quashing of two FIRs registered against him for his speeches in Pilibhit on March 7 and 8.

He was accused of making communal remarks at election rally in his own constituency. Thereafter, the Election Commission issued a notice to Varun, charging him of violating the Model Code of Conduct for elections by making communal remarks.

Following the Election Commission notice, the Pilibhit police filed an FIR 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.

Meanwhile, BJP has extended its full support for Varun Gandhi; senior party leader Rajnath Singh in a statement has said that the party is fully behind Varun.