Chandigarh: Vikas Barala, son of former Haryana BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala and an accused in the high-profile 2017 stalking and attempted abduction case involving the daughter of a senior IAS officer, has been appointed Assistant Advocate General (AAG) by the Haryana government.
In 2017, the junior Barala was accused of stalking (section 354D of the Indian Penal Code), wrongful restraint (341) and attempting to kidnap (365) one Varnika Kundu. Kundu is the daughter of former Haryana bureaucrat VS Kundu, reported The Wire.
The victim had alleged in her police complaint that she was chased on the night of August 4 by Vikas and his friend Ashish Kumar. The duo also tried to get into her car. The case also involved drunk driving.
The appointment, made under the BJP-led government of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, has triggered widespread criticism, with several legal experts and opposition voices questioning the move.
Meanwhile, Kundu has told several news outlets that her faith in judiciary is “wavering” in the wake of such an appointment. While charges were framed on October 13, 2017 against Barala, the trial remains pending to this day, reported The Quint. The next hearing in the case is listed on August 2 this year.
Vikas, who was arrested on August 9, 2017, was a law student at the time of the incident, according to an Indian Express report. In December 2017, the Panjab and Haryana high court had reportedly allowed him to appear for his degree exam from Kurukshetra University. He was reportedly incarcerated for less than a year at Chandigarh’s Model Jail at Burail, The Wire report states. But he got bail in January 2018. At that time, his father was serving as the state BJP president. Until 2020, he continued to hold the post in the party.
According to reports, Barala, based on this appointment, will now represent the state in legal proceedings in various courts, including the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court.
Barala’s appointment as AAG comes amid growing concerns over political patronage and ethical governance. Critics argue that assigning a government legal role to a person still facing serious criminal charges undermines the integrity of the justice system. “This sets a dangerous precedent,” said a senior lawyer requesting anonymity.
“It raises questions about propriety, especially when the trial is still ongoing,” he added.
Despite the controversy, the Haryana government has not issued an official response to the backlash. Barala has not made any public statement on the appointment so far.
