Haryana's New Law Officer: The Man on Trial for Stalking

You know, every now and then a story comes along that just makes you stop and say, "Wait, what?" This is one of those times. The Haryana government has just appointed Vikas Barala, the son of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala, as a new Assistant Advocate General. The controversy? Mr. Barala is currently out on bail and facing trial for a deeply unsettling stalking and attempted abduction case from 2017. It's a move that has raised more than a few eyebrows and sparked a massive row.

Key Highlights

• ✓ Vikas Barala, son of BJP MP Subhash Barala, has been appointed as an Assistant Advocate General (AAG) for Haryana.
• ✓ He is currently on trial, facing serious charges of stalking and attempted abduction in a high-profile 2017 case.
• ✓ The complainant, Varnika Kundu, called the appointment a "reflection of values and standards" of the authorities.
• ✓ The case, filed in 2017, has dragged on for eight years with over 100 court hearings and little progress.
• ✓ The appointment has sparked a political firestorm, with opposition parties strongly condemning the decision.

The Appointment That Sparked Outrage

So, let's break down what happened. Through an official government notification on July 18, Vikas Barala was formally made an Assistant Advocate General (AAG) for Haryana. This isn't just a minor role; he's one of 96 law officers appointed to represent the state's legal interests, and one of seven specifically designated to work in Delhi. Essentially, he's now tasked with representing the Haryana government in court.

As you can imagine, the backlash was swift and fierce. The Congress party didn't mince words, posting on X (formerly Twitter) about the "shamelessness of Haryana’s BJP government." Their post pointed out the jarring irony: "This means a criminal who misbehaved with girls will now represent the government in court." It’s a sentiment that many people are echoing, questioning the message this sends to the public and to victims of harassment.

The Government's Defense

Of course, there are two sides to every story, and the government has its own take. Haryana Minister Ranbir Gangwa came out in defense of the appointment, stating that it was all done above board. He claims a committee was formed that selected Vikas "only after proper investigation" and through "fair means."

When pressed, Gangwa was firm, saying, "There is no thought regarding his removal from the position." This stance has only added fuel to the fire, as critics, like INLD MLA Aditya Devilal, ask a very simple question: "How can a person who is on trial in a criminal case represent Haryana?" It's a question that hangs heavy in the air, with no satisfying answer in sight.

💡 What's Interesting: The legal case against Vikas Barala has seen over 100 court hearings in seven years, yet it has barely progressed. According to the victim's father, only the prosecution's witnesses have deposed so far, with the defense yet to even present its evidence.

Rewind: The Chilling Night of August 2017

To really understand the depth of this controversy, we have to go back to the night of August 4, 2017. The complainant in the case is Varnika Kundu, a DJ at the time and the daughter of a senior IAS officer, VS Kundu. She was driving home from Chandigarh to Panchkula when she noticed a car aggressively following her.

According to her complaint, the situation escalated quickly. The men in the car, identified as Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar, allegedly tried to block her path and even attempted to get inside her vehicle. It’s the kind of terrifying experience that is every person's nightmare. Thanks to her quick thinking, she managed to make a frantic call to the police, and the two were arrested.

Initially, they were booked under bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 354D for stalking, and were released. This led to massive public outrage and accusations that the charges were being diluted because of who Vikas's father was. The pressure worked. The police re-arrested the duo on August 9 and added the far more serious non-bailable charges of attempted abduction under Sections 365 and 511 of the IPC. Barala ended up spending over five months in jail before being granted bail.

A Long and Winding Road to Justice

Here's the thing that's truly frustrating for anyone following this case: it has been eight long years, and there's still no resolution. The trial began on October 27, 2017, after the Chandigarh Police filed a 200-page chargesheet. Since then, the case has crawled along at a snail's pace, getting bogged down by what Varnika describes as "never-ending adjournments."

Think about that for a moment. The case has seen over 102 court hearings, yet it seems no closer to a conclusion. Varnika's father, now a retired IAS officer, confirmed that the defense hasn't even started presenting its witnesses or evidence yet. It’s a stark example of how the legal process can be agonizingly slow, especially in high-profile cases.

"My Faith Has Wavered": Varnika Kundu's Powerful Stand

Through all of this, Varnika Kundu has been incredibly resilient. A day after Barala's appointment, she took to Instagram to share her feelings, and her words are powerful. "Appointing someone to a public position of power is not just a political decision, it's a reflection of values and standards," she wrote, directing the questions not at Barala, but at the authorities who made the decision.

She also spoke candidly about the toll the long legal battle has taken. "Although we seem no closer to a conclusion than we were five year ago, I continue to hold faith in the judiciary until the verdict is announced, but I won't deny that faith has wavered," she admitted. Life has changed dramatically for her. The 36-year-old quit her job as a DJ two years ago and now runs a home bakery. In a telling sign of how the incident has impacted her, she, who already knew martial arts, has also trained in the use of firearms.

Her fight for justice had a broader impact, too. The case sparked a movement called "Bekhauf Azaadi" (Fearless Freedom) to reclaim public spaces for women. In a symbolic victory, Google Maps even renamed Chandigarh's infamous "Geri Route" to "Azadi Route" in 2018. Varnika's mission is clear: "I am out to get justice," she says. "Someone had to stand up for those silent women without power."

Conclusion

The bottom line is, this situation is incredibly messy. On one hand, you have the government's official appointment of a law officer. On the other, you have that same law officer facing grave criminal charges in a case that has languished in the court system for eight years. The appointment of Vikas Barala isn't just a political footnote; it's a deeply symbolic act that has left many, especially the woman at the center of the case, feeling let down.

It raises serious questions about accountability, the standards we hold for public office, and whether the justice system truly works for everyone. As Varnika Kundu so poignantly put it, such decisions are a direct "reflection of values." And right now, many people are looking at this reflection and feeling profoundly disappointed.