Varun not a criminal, why drastic measure like NSA: SC

NEW DELHI: "Varun Gandhi is not a criminal, why were such drastic measures invoked against him," asked the Supreme Court
on Monday, triggering a
Varun Gandhi
Varun Gandhi addresses media representatives in New Delhi. (AP Photo)
rethink in the Mayawati government, which had slapped stringent National Security Act provisions against the young BJP leader for his communal speech at Pilibhit.

This observation from a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam indicated that Varun could soon be released from Etah jail, where he was shifted from Pilibhit citing law and order situation. Varun also told the court that he was ready to give an undertaking that he would not commit the same mistake again.

Stung by the apex court's critical remarks, senior advocate Harish Salve and UP additional advocate general Shail Kumar Dwivedi did a quick re-think in strategy, especially after the state's affidavit justifying charging Varun with NSA, and told the court that they would get back with the Mayawati government's response on Thursday, when the case would be heard again.

So, on April 16, there is all likelihood of Varun getting out of jail as, apart from the SC virtually castigating the UP government for overreacting to the provocative speech, the young leader said he would give an undertaking not to repeat his mistake.

Right at the beginning of the hearing on Varun's petition seeking quashing of charges under NSA, the CJI asked a simple question: "You want quashing of the charges, but is the UP government serious about it?"