Varun changes tack: target was ISI,Qaeda

Gandhi’s speeches at Barkheda and Pilibhit were cited as grounds by the state government to build its case for the young leader’s detention under the NSA,which was ordered on March 29 to prevent him from committing “acts prejudicial to public order”.

Gandhi’s lawyer Siddhartha Luthara,however,refused to comment. “I have to see the papers,” he said. Sources said under the law,an NSA detainee has the right to make a representation to the government against his detention,but Gandhi directly moved the Supreme Court,without availing this course of action.

They said the state government can always oppose Gandhi’s petition in the court on the ground that he directly moved the SC without using other remedies.

Meanwhile,the BJP,of late,has been muted in its protests against Gandhi’s detention under the NSA.

State BJP vice-president and spokesperson HN Dixit said since the Supreme Court was seized of the matter,the party had decided to wait and watch.

“Varun is being victimised and he is surely there on our agenda. But we are focussing on other issues as well,” he said.