New Delhi, Apr 2 : The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to Uttar Pradesh Government and the Pilibhit District Magistrate seeking to know the basis for invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi.

Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan sought an explanation for slapping of the NSA against him.

Varun Gandhi had earlier moved the Supreme Court challenging the UP Government's decision to slap the NSA against him.

Gandhi said the decision of invoking the NSA against him for his alleged hate speeches in Pilibhit was passed with political motivation and without following due procedure.

The petition filed through advocate Sandeep Kapoor said: "The entire attempt is a combined effort of the District Magistrate of Pilibhit and Uttar Pradesh Government to ensure that he is not able to contest and campaign for general elections scheduled for next month so as to sabotage his electoral debut".

Earlier, the BJP had constituted a panel led by its former President M. Venkaiah Naidu to assess the situation on the ground and report back to its top leadership on the Varun controversy after his detention under the NSA. (ANI)