By IANS,
Etah (Uttar Pradesh) : With the Supreme Court Thursday ordering “forthwith release” of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi for two weeks, Etah jail authorities said they were waiting to receive the order to release him.
“I think the court order will come through fax to Etah district magistrate and hence will be passed on to me. We are waiting for the court orders,” V.R. Sharma, Etah jail superintendent, told a TV channel.
A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishanan, Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice J.M. Panchal Thursday ordered Varun Gandhi’s release to enable him to file his nomination for the Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency and campaign for the poll.
“The apex court decision will be followed word by word the moment we receive the order and Varun Gandhi will be released in within 10 minutes,” said Sharma.
Gandhi has been in Etah jail from April 1 as he faces charges under the National Security Act (NSA) following campaign speeches vilifying Muslims that have purportedly been delivered by him.
The court said Gandhi would be released Thursday after submitting an affidavit to Etah jail authorities, swearing that he will not make provocative speeches during the poll campaign. He would be filing a similar affidavit to the Supreme Court by Monday.
Varun’s lawsuit challenging invocation of the NSA against him would come up for hearing May 1.