In a bid to make political capital, Varun Gandhi today surrendered before a local court in connection with a case against him for hate speeches after which he was arrested and sent to judicial remand till Monday.
Amid high drama, Gandhi, who left his home in Delhi in the wee hours, arrived here to a tumultuous welcome from a large number of BJP workers and saffron activists who clashed with police violating prohibitory orders in force.
Lawyers of 29-year-old Gandhi against whom three cases have been filed for allegedly making inflammatory communal speeches during his election campaign, filed a surrender plea before Chief Judicial Magistrate Vipin Kumar.
"This is a conspiracy in which I have been framed. I have full faith in the law and in the judiciary. I believe in my principles and I am willing to fight for them... I am ready to go to jail," Gandhi after reaching the town from where he is making his electoral debut.
After the Allahabad High Court rejected his petition for quashing the FIR against him, Gandhi changed his strategy and did not seek for extension of bail granted by the Delhi High Court and preferred to court arrest.
In the CJM's court, his lawyers immediately filed a bail application on which hearing has been deferred till Monday after the prosecution sought time.
The throng of supporters attempted to block police from taking Gandhi to the district jail and later threw stones in the jail compound.
