Latest news with #HaryanaLawOfficers(Engagement)Act
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Stalking accused Vikas Barala dropped as law officer in Haryana
The Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government on Monday dropped Vikas Barala from the post of assistant advocate general for Haryana, ten days after he was appointed, after a row erupted over his appointment and his alleged involvement in the 2017 Varnika Kundu stalking case. Barala did not join following the controversy that erupted after the notification on the appointment of law officers was issued on July 18, senior officials confirmed. Vikas Barala On Sunday, 45 retired IAS officers wrote an open letter to Saini against the decision to appoint Barala, who is the son of Rajya Sabha member and former Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala. 'We are shocked to learn that a stalking accused has been named AAG by your government. He will work as the state legal officer when he himself is on the wrong side of the law. By appointing him, you have gone against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Beti Bachao slogan', the letter read. Earlier, reacting to his appointment, complainant Varnika Kundu termed it a reflection of the 'values and standards' of the authorities. Varnika, 36, the daughter of retired IAS officer VS Kundu, posted on Instagram, 'Appointing someone to a public position of power is not just a political decision, it's a reflection of values and standards. 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.' State's advocate general, Pravindra Singh Chauhan has told PTI that 'Vikas didn't join (assume charge)'. 'Generally, there is a timeframe of a week to ten days given, but if anyone does not join by then, we inform the government accordingly,' the AG further told the agency. Barala, was among over 100 law officers whose appointments were notified on July 18 by the government as assistant advocate general at Delhi office of the AG. The appointments are made by a 'selection committee' under the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016. The criminal case against Barala, was registered on August 4, 2017, under Sections 354-D, 341, 365, 511 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code when Varnika, then a disco jockey (DJ), was allegedly stalked by Vikas and his friend Ashish. She was headed home when she noticed a car following her. The two accused allegedly attempted to block her path and tried to enter her vehicle. Sections of attempted kidnap were added after criticism of police functioning. Chandigarh police filed a 200-page chargesheet in the case on September 20, 2017. A district court framed charges on October 13, 2017, and trial began on October 27, 2017. Ever since, though there have been over 100 hearings in the trial court, they have been repeatedly adjourned on various grounds. In February this year, the case was transferred to the court of judicial magistrate first class where it is currently being heard. It will next come up for hearing on August 2.
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vikas Barala dropped as law officer in Haryana advocate general's office, say sources
The name of BJP MP Subhash Barala's son Vikas Barala, appointed as a law officer in the office of the Haryana advocate general, has been dropped from the list as he did not join the post, official sources said on Monday (July 28, 2025). Vikas, an accused in a case of stalking, had been appointed as an assistant advocate general to represent the Haryana government before judicial platforms in the national capital. His appointment was part of a broader recruitment of 100 law officers by the government and which was officially notified on July 18, according to an appointment order issued in this regard recently. The official sources said since Vikas did not join, his name was dropped from the list of those appointed. When contacted, Haryana's Advocate General Pravindra Singh Chauhan said over the phone on Monday (July 28, 2025), "Vikas didn't join (assume charge)". "Generally, there is a timeframe of a week to ten days given, but if anyone does not join by then, we inform the government accordingly, the AG said over the phone. Told that some of those appointed as law officers are relatives of politicians and bureaucrats, Chauhan, without going into the specifics of those recruitments, said, "All those appointed are there only because of themselves. Don't go by the surnames. "It won't be correct to see all from one lens. They are competent lawyers and their selection has been made on merit." The advertisement for the appointments of the law officers was put out in January by the state government. In June, the state government constituted a "selection committee" under the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016 for the finalisation of the selection process to engage 100 law officers, which included 20 additional advocate generals, 20 senior deputy advocate generals, 30 deputy advocate generals and 30 assistant advocate generals, following the January 31 advertisement. After Vikas Barala's appointment, the complainant in the stalking case slammed the move, saying that appointing someone to a public position of power is not only a political decision but it is also a reflection of values and standards. Accusation against Vikas Barala The incident leading to the charges against Vikas occurred in 2017 when his father was the Haryana BJP chief. Subhash Barala is currently a Rajya Sabha MP. The complainant had expressed her disappointment at the development. The woman had in her complaint accused Vikas and his friend of stalking and attempting to abduct her. Taking to social media last week but without naming Vikas directly, she issued a statement calling out the authorities involved in his appointment as a law officer. "Appointing someone to a public position of power is not only a political decision but it is also 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," she said in her post. Vikas and his friend Ashish Kumar were charged with stalking and attempting to kidnap her by a court here in October 2017. The trial in the case is ongoing before a Chandigarh court. On August 5, 2017, Vikas, who was 23 at the time and a law student, along with Kumar, had allegedly followed her car in their SUV and tried to block the way. The charges against them were framed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 354d (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 365 read with 511 (attempt to kidnap). Initially, arrested on the night of August 4-5, 2017, they were released on bail as their charges were bailable under the IPC and the Motor Vehicles Act. They were later re-arrested on August 9, 2017, after cooperating with the investigation, but received bail again from the high court in January 2018.
Hindustan Times
23-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Facing trial in stalking case, former Haryana BJP chief Barala's son Vikas is now assistant advocate general
Facing trial in the stalking case of disc jockey Varnika Kundu in 2017, former Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala's son Vikas Barala has been appointed as a law officer by the state government with advocate general (AG) office. Vikas Barala and his friend allegedly pursued the woman, attempted to block her path, and tried to enter her vehicle.(HT File) Barala, who is among over 100 law officers whose appointments were notified on July 18 by the government, has been appointed as assistant advocate general at Delhi office of the AG. The Kundu stalking case had brought national attention to issues of women's safety and the influence of political connections in legal proceedings. On the night of August 4, 2017, Kundu, daughter of former senior IAS officer VS Kundu, was heading to her home in Chandigarh when she noticed a car following her. Also read | They wanted to get in or get me out, says woman stalked by BJP leader's son According to the complaint, the occupants, Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar, allegedly pursued Kundu, attempted to block her path, and tried to enter her vehicle. They were initially charged under Section 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act by the Chandigarh police. Subsequently, charges of attempted abduction were added after widespread criticism of police functioning. Also read | Meet DJ Varnika Kundu, back on the console, being 'normal' On October 13, 2017, a Chandigarh court framed charges against the duo. Barala remained in jail for five months and appeared in his law course exam during the period. The case is being tried at a judicial magistrate (first class) court in Chandigarh, where prosecution evidence is complete and defence witness examination is underway. When asked, Kundu said such appointments are government's prerogative and she would not like to comment on that at this stage. She, however, added that she is disappointed by the judiciary as her case has been lingering on for the last 8 years in district courts. 'I still have faith in judiciary but it's kind of wavering now due to repeated adjournments as the trial is being dragged and delayed. It's been 8 years and a long wait for justice. As far as appointment of Vikas Barala is concerned, I would not like to comment on that at this stage' she said. Vikas Barala did not respond to HT's calls and texts. The advertisement for these appointments/engagements was put out in January and as per the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016, after initial scrutiny recommendations are made to government by a selection committee on various professional parameters—which include number of cases handled and more. An applicant has also to inform whether any FIR is registered and whether he has been convicted in any FIR. The 2016 law bars only appointment/ engagement of a person, who has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude. HT's calls and texts to Haryana AG Pravindra Chauhan did not yield any response. Other high-profile appointments include that of Anu Pal, sister of UT home secretary Mandeep Singh Brar and younger sister of justice Lisa Gill of the Punjab and Haryana high court; Swati Batra daughter of former HC judge Lalita Batra (retd); Ruchi Sekhri, a BJP leader from Punjab and Nitin Kaushal, son of former chief secretary, Punjab, Sarvesh Kaushal.
