Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi, currently in prison for his reported hate speeches, Sunday refused to meet the investigating officer who visited Etah jail to record his statement in connection with the cases lodged against him.

"He (Varun) said that he will only talk to officials in the presence of his lawyer," Bali Ram Rao, the investigating officer from Pilibhit, told reporters.

Rao also met Etah District Magistrate Gaurav Dayal after visiting the jail.