Varun must prove tapes doctored,says CEC

Beleaguered BJP leader Varun Gandhi,against whom a criminal case has been filed over his anti-Muslim speeches,moved the Allahabad HC seeking quashing of the FIR and also approached the Delhi HC for anticipatory bail.

The burden of proof that the video of his speeches was doctored lies on Varun Gandhi,said Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami at a press conference at Raj Bhavan here this evening.

He was replying to questions on Gandhis alleged violation of the model code of conduct by delivering anti-Muslim hate speeches in Pilibhit.

Gandhi,meanwhile,moved the Delhi High Court for anticipatory bail alleging he has been falsely implicated and that the FIR was an attempt to derail his campaign.

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Varun approached the court as there is no provision of anticipatory bail in Uttar Pradesh where he has been booked under Sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act.

A bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Muralidharan agreed to list the matter for tomorrow.

We are not in the business of proving his allegations, said the CEC. Varun Gandhi will have to prove his allegations that the tapes were doctored.

We have seen the video that we have received. Some channels have shown the video. Tampering of the tapes is his (Varuns) allegation. This is not our video, said Gopalaswami.

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As reported in The Indian Express today,the CEC asserted that the Commission is fully united over the issue. It is a false idea that the EC is divided over the issue, said Gopalaswami flanked by Navin Chawla,the Election Commissioner.

Gandhi also filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court seeking a stay on his arrest.

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