'Varun's NSA detention invalid'

In a big reprieve for Varun Gandhi and a rebuff to Chief Minister Mayawati, an advisory board in the state today revoked the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) on the young BJP leader for his alleged hate speeches, holding as invalid his detention under the stringent Act.

The Board said it did not find “plausible and convincing” grounds for NSA being invoked against 29-year-old Varun, now on parole after a nearly three-week detention, nor was it satisfied by the explanation given by the district magistrate of Pilibhit, from where Varun is fighting the ongoing elections .

The UP government has decided to challenge the recommendation of the Allahabad High Court board in the Supreme Court.