Under the watch of a passive district administration and security personnel, Bharatiya Janata Party debutante Varun Gandhi rode a saffron wave into Pilibhit and surrendered at the district court on Saturday.
The court sent him to judicial custody till March 30, till when the prosecution sought time to reply to Gandhi's bail petition. As Varun was being taken to the jail quarters, which is a mere 500 metres across the road from the district court, his supporters clashed with the police and tried to storm the jail premises.
The police opened fire, injuring at least three people. Eyewitnesses said the crowd became unruly after a policeman allegedly began baton charging the crowd to create space for the vehicle carrying Gandhi to jail.
The day began with speculation about what the BJP's plan for the day would be and also regarding the administration's response. The district administration clamped Section 144, which prohibits more than four people gathering at any place in the town.
The lax manner in which it was enforced gave some indication of how the day would proceed.
Large number of supporters, waving saffron flags and sporting saffron bandanas, descended on Pilibhit as the policemen were reduced to traffic marshals. As thousands entered the town and awaited the arrival of latest saffron sensation.
Varun Gandhi, clad in a deep red kurta and sporting a bright tilak, surfaced in an open top jeep 10 minutes before 11 am, waving to the crowd and egging them by pumping his fists.
Watching him go through the motions with his face blank and bereft of any expression, however, gave a feeling that he was definitely not the kind who can ignite a mob in a minute's notice.
He entered the courtroom accompanied by close supporters and lawyers. His advocate said Gandhi is surrendering before the court in connection with all three cases filed against him -- two in Barkhela and one in Kothwali.
The court then remanded him to judicial custody after which his counsel moved for bail on the grounds that the tapes were doctored and that the lab reports have not been presented in court.
The prosecution said it needed time till Monday to formulate its reply. The judge said the court will hear the plea on Monday and asked him to be put in judicial custody till Monday.
As he stepped out of the court room, Gandhi, who had largely remained silent till then, said he was framed by his enemies and that he will come out of the controversy unscathed.
"I will abide by the law and motivate my people. If others are emboldened to follow their principles by my going to jail today then it's ok. I have full faith in the law and the system. I have been framed but justice will prevail," he said.
As he was being taken to the jail, a mini-riot broke, forcing the police to open fire. At the end of the day, observers said that every development since morning showed that the BJP had planned the day well.
"Why the state government did not react is a question that the people of Pilibhit will now ask," a senior advocate of the district court said.
