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The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Row over appointment of Vikas Barala as Assistant Advocate General
A controversy has erupted over the appointment of Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha member Subhash Barala's son, Vikas Barala, as Assistant Advocate General (AAG) by the Haryana government. Mr. Barala is currently out on bail in a case involving charges of abduction, wrongful restraint and stalking of a woman. According to official records, Mr. Barala was appointed through a government notification issued on July 18. The Congress, in a post on its official handle on social media platform X, objected to the appointment. 'See the shamelessness of Haryana's BJP government. The government has appointed Vikas Barala, who attempted molestation and kidnapping, as AAG in the Haryana government. This means a criminal who misbehaved with girls will now represent the government in court,' the party said. 'Even before this, the BJP has been promoting those who harass women, commit rape and murder. This is just the next chapter,' it further said. The case dates back to August 5, 2017, when Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar allegedly followed and attempted to stop a woman, who was returning home from Chandigarh to Panchkula. The woman, a disc jockey and daughter of a senior IAS officer in the Haryana government at the time, had lodged a complaint leading to the duo's arrest. Initially, they were released on bail after being booked under bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act. Following public outrage and criticism over the handling of the case, including accusations of dilution of charges, the police later re-arrested the accused on August 9. Sections 365 and 511 of the IPC (attempt to abduct) were added to the existing FIR. Speaking to The Hindu, the woman's father, now retired, said that only the prosecution witnesses had deposed so far in the case, even after eight years. He added that the defence was yet to present its witnesses and evidence. He declined to comment on Mr. Barala's appointment as AAG. Mr. Subhash Barala could not be reached for a response. His personal assistant said he was attending the ongoing Parliament session.
News18
23-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Reflection Of Values': Varnika Kundu As Stalker Vikas Barala Gets Appointed Haryana AAG
Last Updated: Vikas Barala and his friend allegedly pursued her, attempted to block her path, and tried to enter her vehicle. Delhi-based disc jockey Varnika Kundu on Wednesday said that she continues to have faith in the Indian judiciary after her stalker Vikas Barala, the son of Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party chief, was appointed as an Assistant Advocate General (AAG) at Delhi by the Haryana government. She further added that the appointment of such an accused to a public position of power is not just a political decision, but is a reflection of values and standards. Barala, accused in a 2017 stalking case, is among over 100 law officers whose appointments were notified on July 18 by the state government. Issuing her statement on his appointment, Kundu wrote, 'Appointing someone to a public position of power is not just a political decision – it's a reflection of values and standards. So perhaps the questions should be directed at the authorities whose ethics and standards allowed this decision to be made." 'Our policymakers run the country; the rest of us are just hoping they remember that they work for the Indian citizen," the statement read, adding, 'What I will speak about is my own case – and the fact that despite months of national media attention, it has dragged on for this long with little progress." 'Although we seem no closer to a conclusion than we were five years ago, I continue to hold faith in the judiciary until the verdict is announced – but I won't deny that faith has wavered," Kundu stated, asserting her faith in the judiciary. 2017 Stalking Case The Kundu stalking case dates back to 2017, when the daughter of former senior IAS officer VS Kundu — Varnika Kundu, was heading to her home in Chandigarh when she noticed a car following her. Vikas Barala and his friend allegedly pursued her, attempted to block her path, and tried to enter her vehicle. Following this, an FIR was filed under Sections 354D (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint), 365 (attempt to abduct) and 511 (attempt to commit an offence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The two men were also charged with drunk driving in the FIR. The trial is ongoing in a Chandigarh court, where the next date of hearing is August 2, 2025. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
