Varun Gandhi fixed hate speech case: Report

[1983-2011]

A sting operation by Tehelka-Headlines Today claims to have blown the cover off BJP general secretary Varun Gandhi’s alleged operation that led to his acquittal in the 2009 Pilibhit hate speech case. Witnesses, police and judicial officers were made to derail the case against him, according to the report aired by Headlines Today on Wednesday evening. Gandhi, the report alleges on the basis of taped statements of local politicians, had helped Samajwadi Party leader Riyaz Ahmed win a seat in the 2012 assembly election by arranging for the defeat of his BJP rival. Ahmed and police officers helped “fix†all of the 88 witnesses, either by bribery or by coercion, according to the report which cited witnesses. Following the report’s telecast, Varun Gandhi issued a statement accusing Tehelka of having an anti-BJP bias, adding that the sting was a diversionary tactic to draw attention away from real issues. “It is clear certain vested interests aren’t happy with the (court’s) verdict,†Gandhi’s statement said. He added that the story was timed with his elevation as BJP general secretary in mind. The investigation claimed that a public prosecutor -- MP Verma —and the court itself were suspiciously negligent in following due process. Amongst those making statements on camera was Parmeshwari Dayal Gangwar – district vice-president of BJP in Pilibhit and a close political aide of Gandhi. He is seen giving an account of the vitriolic speeches Gandhi gave. Gangwar also spoke of how Samajwadi Party minister Riyaz Ahmed was asked to fix Muslim witnesses and how the police, in general, and superintendent of police Amit Verma, in particular, coerced Hindu witnesses to change their testimonies, according to the report. Varun Gandhi's political journey began in 2009 when he decided to stand for his first Lok Sabha election from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh on a BJP ticket. According to report, during the campaigning for 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Varun Gandhi had allegedly given provocative speeches at a meeting at Dalchand Mohalla area of Pilibhit. The MP had reportedly made provocative remarks against Muslims in Pilibhit while addressing a poll rally during the 2009 LS polls. Recordings of the controversial speech showed Varun Gandhi as saying that he would 'cut off the hand that is raised against Hindus'. Varun had told those gathered at an election meeting at the Deshnagar locality of Pilibhit, “If you want to save the Hindu religion, vote for me. If a Hindu doesn’t vote for me, he would be betraying his religion.†People watched as these hate speeches — captured by some on their cellphones — were played on loop on TV channels. Thereafter, two cases were registered against Varun under different sections of IPC for inciting hatred and creating communal disharmony. He was arrested on 28 March 2009 and jailed for 20 days. However, Varun had denied making any such statements and told HT in 2009 that his Pilibhit speech was hyped and twisted.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Varun-Gandhi-fixed-hate-speech-case-Report/Article1-1060612.aspx Full Tehelka's investigation report http://tehelka.com/how-varun-gandhi-silenced-the-system/?singlepage=1 Varun Gandhi hate speech - Videos

The Varun Gandhi Sting - Video Playlist