UP moves SC against revoking of NSA on Varun

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the advisory board’s decision of revoking NSA (National Security Act) on BJP political novice Varun Gandhi, who is making his debut from Pilibhit constituency.

The State government, in its petition, has reportedly said that the board’s decision was taken in haste without considering all aspects of the case as it had overlooked several cogent evidences offered by the government against the new poster boy of the BJP.

The three-member advisory board, set up by the Allahabad HC, had on May 8 recommended immediate withdrawal of NSA against Varun Gandhi, saying the use of NSA against Varun Gandhi was “incorrect and invalid”.

It had further said the board was dissatisfied with the evidences submitted by Pilibhit District Magistrate to justify invoking of NSA against Varun Gandhi for spilling out communal remarks during public meeting in his Pilibhit constituency.

The NSA was then revoked by the State government as the administration is bound by the advisory board, the ultimate statutory authority on NSA.

Disappointed over the board’s order, Mayawati government had said it would go to Supreme Court against it. Although there is no provision in the NSA to challenge the advisory board’s order, but the Mayawati government could do it as the case was already under the apex court’s consideration.

The apex court, hearing Varun’s plea for quashing of an FIR filed against him for his alleged hate speech, had granted his release on parole last month that ended on May 2; the court further extended his parole till May 14 when Varun’s advocate argued his client needed more time to continue his election campaign. The election in Pilibhit along with 85 other Lok Sabha constituencies is scheduled to be held on May 13.

NSA was invoked against the 29-year-old Gandhi on March 29 for his alleged hate and provocative speech during a public meeting on March 5 in his Pilibhit constituency. Two criminal cases were filed against him and he was arrested on March 28 while going to surrender before the CJM, Pilibhit.