Uttar Pradesh Government withdraws NSA against Varun

Lucknow, May 14 (ANI): Mayawati-led Uttar Pradesh Government on Thursday revoked the National Security Act (NSA) invoked against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi for allegedly making hate speeches.

UP Government's decision came hours after the Supreme Court ordered the State Government to revoke the NSA against Varun Gandhi.

Varun was arrested under the NSA on March 29.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court revoked the NSA invoked against Varun Gandhi for making an alleged 'hate-speech' in Pilibhit.

Varun had challenged the imposition of the NSA by the Uttar Pradesh Government in the apex court and demanded compensation of rupees 10 lakh from Chief Minister Mayawati.

The imposition of NSA on Varun has also been termed invalid by the Uttar Pradesh Advisory Board appointed by the Allahabad High Court to go into the merits of the case.

The government argued that the Advisory Board's decision was incorrect, as it had ignored several cogent evidences against Varun.

Varun had submitted his representation before an Advisory Board in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on April 28 against slapping of the NSA over his alleged hate speech in Pilibhit.

As the ultimate statutory authority on the NSA, the Advisory Board has the right to approve or revoke the government order invoking the act against Varun.

The verdict of the Advisory Board is final and if it chooses to revoke the NSA, Varun would be set free with immediate effect.

Varun was charged for making highly inflammatory anti-Muslim utterances during his poll campaign in Pilibhit. (ANI)