Varun Gandhi released on parole

The Supreme Court on Thursday released the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Varun Gandhi, contesting from Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency, on parole for a period of two weeks after he submitted an undertaking stating that he will not make provocative speeches during his campaign.

Varun Gandhi was booked by the Uttar Pradesh government on March 26 under the National Security Act (NSA) for his alleged communal speech delivered on March 6. The state administration has, however, made its intention clear to go ahead with the NSA case against Gandhi.

Following Varun’s appeal in Supreme Court seeking relief to allow him to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Pilibhit, the court had adjourned the hearing of the bail plea till April 16.

On Wednesday, a lawyer representing Varun Gandhi revealed that his client has given an undertaking to the Supreme Court that he will not make any more hate speeches that violate the Constitution or lead to any law and order problem.

The apex court had said on Monday that 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.

The undertaking had raised the prospects of Varun Gandhi’s early release on bail from the Etah District Jail where he was lodged under the NSA Act.