Lucknow: BJP candidate Varun Gandhi was on Thursday released from jail on parole following a Supreme Court directive, almost 19 days after he was detained under the NSA for making hate speeches at election meetings in Pilibhit.
Dressed in a maroon kurta and sporting a stubble, 29-year-old Gandhi waved to the crowd of hundreds of supporters outside the Etah jail, where a large posse of security personnel had been deployed, and accompanied by his mother Maneka Gandhi sped away in a Toyota Land Cruiser.
A small convoy of three cars and over five police vehicles followed Varun, BJP candidate from the Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency, on the dusty road.
Official sources said the release came with a condition that Varun would not hold any road show in the district.
They said the young leader was not allowed to offer prayers at a local temple as officials feared that it could lead to a law and order problem.
"The order for Varun's release was received at 5 PM. However, he had to complete certain formalities and other security details which took some time," Gaurav Dayal, District Magistrate Etah, said.
Varun's lawyer Prashant Singh Atal said he had been released on parole for two weeks during which he is likely to file his nominations for the Pilibhit seat.