Lucknow:
A court in Uttar Pradesh is expected to decide today whether BJP leader Varun Gandhi made hate speeches while campaigning in his constituency of Pilibhit in 2009 for the national elections.
Mr Gandhi won his parliamentary election after he spent 19 days in jails in Pilibhit and Etah before being granted bail. He has denied that his speeches were designed to incite communal hatred.
51 witnesses called by the prosecution did not give any evidence or statement that implicated Mr Gandhi. The Uttar Pradesh police has been investigating the case.
A local activist named Abdul Qayoom has alleged in court that Mr Gandhi tried to subvert the investigation by not sharing his voice sample. He also said that witnesses were questioned in a hurry, and that news channels were not asked to furnish copies of the speeches, which compromised the probe. The activist wants a deeper investigation to be ordered.
If the court accepts his application, the judgement will be delayed.