Varun Gandhi acquitted in a hate speech case

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi was on Wednesday acquitted by a local court in Pilibhit district in connection with a hate speech case lodged against him during Lok Sabha elections in 2009.

Varun has been acquitted by the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Abdul Qayyum in a case of an alleged hate speech during an election rally at Dalchandra locality lodged against him at Kotwali police station in March 2009, prosecution sources said.

Two cases were lodged against Varun during the Lok Sabha polls in connection with alleged hate speeches. While one was lodged at Kotwali police station, the other was filed in Barkhera area, also in Pilibhit.

Hearing in Barkkera case will be held on March 1.

Another case against him relating to violence outside the district jail had been referred to a sessions court.

In a statement issued in Pilibhit, Varun expressed his faith in the judiciary and welcomed the decision of the court.

"I would like to thank all the people who have stood by me and believed in me through this difficult time. I am specially grateful to the people of Uttar Pradesh and Pilibhit, who elected me. I am determined to be worthy of that support as we work together confidently and courageously for the peace and progress of our great nation," he said.