Varun Gandhi had allegedly delivered an “anti-Muslim” speech while addressing a public meeting in UP’s Pilibhit town in March during the run-up to the 2009 General Elections.
“The state government has accorded sanction for prosecution of Varun Gandhi in the matter,” UP Home Secretary Deepak Kumar said here.
Varun would be tried under various sections of the IPC, including Section 153 A (promoting religious enmity), 295 A (outraging religious feelings) and the Representation of Peoples’ Act, he said.
A case was registered against Varun at Pilibhit’s Kotwali police station following direction from the Election Commission. Later, the young MP was arrested and sent to jail.
The state had also slapped the NSA against him but it was quashed by the Allahabad High Court.
(Published 10 December 2010, 17:24 IST)