NEW DELHI: Varun Gandhi in detention, with the National Security Act (NSA) slapped against him by Uttar Pradesh government, agreed yesterday not to make provocative speeches while campaigning for Lok Sabha elections. Varun is Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate from Pilibhit constituency in the state.
The apex court yesterday deferred hearing on Varun’s pleas against imposition of NSA against him till April 16. The Supreme Court had issued a notice on April 2 to UP government and Pilibhit district magistrate on Varun’s allegation that NSA invoked against him was politically motivated to sabotage his political ambitions.
Refuting Varun’s allegations, in a 35-page response, the UP government stated that NSA was invoked against him for his communal speeches and chaos created by him while courting arrest in Pilibhit on March 28. The NSA was invoked against him on March 29.
The inflammatory statements made by Varun earlier while campaign and while courting arrest amounted to breach of public order, warranting invocation of NSA against him, the UP government told the bench headed by Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan.
The bench suggested that Varun should furnish an undertaking that he will not make any “provocative” speech if he was granted bail. “If he gives an undertaking that he will not make any such provocative speeches then (his plea could be considered),” the bench said.
Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for UP government and Pilibhit’s district magistrate said that if Varun agrees to give an undertaking to the court that he will not create a volatile situation, then it has no objection to his being released on “interim bail.”
Mukul Rohtagi, Varun’s lawyer, said that the BJP leader would give an undertaking as suggested by the court. Rohtagi also told the court that each day counts for Varun as he has to file his nomination papers and also campaign. Filing of nomination papers for Pilibhit begins from April 17.
