SC orders release of Varun Gandhi on parole

NEW DELHI: In a conditional reprieve for detained BJP leader Varun Gandhi, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered his release on parole for two weeks after he gave an undertaking to Etah jail authorities that he will not make inflammatory speeches.

The apex court imposed a stringent condition that 29-year-old Varun, held under the National Security Act, will not make any speech against a community, religion, race and disturb public order during the period of parole.

"Having regard to the facts and circumstances, we are inclined to release him on parole for two weeks on condition that he will give an undertaking before the superintendent of Etah Jail that he will not make such speeches during the parole which is likely to cause communal disturbance and hatred among any caste and community," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said.