Challenging the judgment of the CJM acquitting BJP general secretary Varun Gandhi of two hate speech cases, the Uttar Pradesh government appealed to the district sessions court on Wednesday to reopen the cases and to set aside the CJM’s judgment.
The move came two days after Asad Hayat Khan, convenor of an Allahabad-based organisation Awam-E-Council, appealed to the sessions court, demanding retrial of the Barkehda hate speech case. Asad also demanded Varun’s voice sampling and including TV channels among the witnesses.
The prosecution had turned down the appeal, saying Asad had no right to appeal as he was not a victim. The prosecution had also sought two day’s time and so the hearing was scheduled on Wednesday (May 29).
But, in a sudden twist, the prosecution on Wednesday itself moved an appeal before district sessions judge VK Misra in both the inflammatory speech cases.
“We have appealed to the sessions court against the CJM’s judgment and demanded that the previous judgments in both the cases be set aside,” district government counsel Abhay Kumar told the media.
The Kotwali hate speech case was registered at the Kotwali police station for the speech Varun delivered during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. The acquittal in this case came on February 27 this year.
{{/usCountry}}The Kotwali hate speech case was registered at the Kotwali police station for the speech Varun delivered during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. The acquittal in this case came on February 27 this year.
{{/usCountry}}On March 4, Varun was acquitted in the second case, which was lodged for delivering an inflammatory speech at a public meeting in Barkhera.The court has admitted the appeal of the prosecution and sent a notice to Varun Gandhi. The hearing is scheduled for July 15.