World | India
Varun may get Supreme Court respite
Varun Gandhi's counsel on Monday assured the Supreme Court that the jailed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader would give an undertaking that he won't make any provocative speech that disturbs law and order during the parliamentary elections.
- Agencies
- Published: 23:06 April 13, 2009
New Delhi: Varun Gandhi's counsel on Monday assured the Supreme Court that the jailed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader would give an undertaking that he won't make any provocative speech that disturbs law and order during the parliamentary elections.
Counsel Mukul Rohtagi readily agreed to the Supreme Court's suggestion that if Gandhi "gives an undertaking that he will not make provocative speeches, he may be released".
The 29-year-old BJP leader has been jailed under the National Security Act (NSA) for "inciting violence" prior to his voluntary arrest for his alleged hate speeches in Uttar Pradesh last month in Uttar Pradesh.
A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam said: "We feel such drastic action is not required."
Counsel Harish Salve, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, which slapped the NSA on Gandhi, said he will have to take his client's instruction on the issue.
The court adjourned till Thursday hearing on the Gandhi's lawsuit, challenging his arrest under the stringent NSA.
Earlier, Salve said the state government has approved the Pilibhit district magistrate's March 29 order invoking the NSA against Gandhi.
He said the state referred the matter to the union government and Gandhi, instead of seeking the relief from the court, should approach the union government for the same.
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