New Delhi, Apr 13 : The Supreme Court on Monday postponed the hearing on the petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi challenging the Uttar Pradesh Government''s decision to slap the National Security Act (NSA) against him for his alleged hate speeches.

The Bench headed by Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, who heard the matter, postponed the hearing till April 16.

On April 2, the Bench had sought an explanation from the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Pilibhit District Magistrate for slapping of the NSA against Varun.

However, the State Government and the District Magistrate of Pilibhit justified their decision of invoking the NSA against Varun by saying that the speech made by him in an election meeting in Pilibhit on March 6 had "communal overtones."

The State Government, in its 35-page response to the apex court denied Varun''s charge that he was booked under the NSA due to a political conspiracy.

They also accused him of creating "chaos" while surrendering before a court on March 28.

Varun had challenged his detention under NSA in Pilibhit last month. He was taken to the Pilibhit District jail and later shifted to Etah jail for security reasons.

Varun said the decision of invoking the NSA against him 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 the Uttar Pradesh Government to ensure that he (Varun Gandhi) is not able to contest and campaign for general elections scheduled for next month so as to sabotage his electoral debut". (ANI)