Unfazed Varun says his stand will be vindicated in court

Unfazed by the UP police filing a chargesheet against him in a hate speech case, controversial BJP MP Varun Gandhi today said it would give him an opportunity to prove his innocence.

"I welcome the case being taken forward as now I shall have the opportunity to establish my innocence," Varun, Lok Sabha member from Pilibhit, said in a statement here.

The 29-year-old BJP leader, who was arrested on March 29 by Uttar Pradesh Police, is currently out on bail.

"As a law abiding citizen, I had even earlier voluntarily surrendered to the court. I reiterate my full faith in the judiciary and remain confident that I shall be vindicated," he said.

"I trust the media to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and not allow itself to be misused for political purposes," Varun said.

The chargesheet was filed by Pilibhit police in a chief magistrate's court in connection with the case registered against Varun on March 17 at Barkheda police station on direction of the Election Commission for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches there on March 8.

Varun has been directed to appear in the court on August 17.