Chandigarh stalking case: Police summons Haryana BJP chief's son Vikas Barala

Vikas Barala, son of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Haryana chief Subhash Barala, who is an accused in the stalking case Varnika Kundu in Chandigarh, has been summoned by the Chandigarh Police today.

The Chandigarh Police has asked Vikas to appear before the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sector-26 Police Station at 11 a.m. 'sharp' on Wednesday.

The notice has been issued under 160 Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the case has been filed against Barala under Section 354D (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint), 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 185 MV Act (rash driving).

As per sources, the notice has been issued to both the accused in the case. While Ashish Kumar accepted the notice, Vikas did not, following which the Chandigarh police posted the summons outside Barala's residence.

On Tuesday, Subhash Barala for the very first time broke his silence on the matter and asserted that he is not using his political influence to pressurize the investigation in the matter.

He further said the victim Varnika Kundu, who was stalked by his son, is like his daughter and he will cooperate to bring justice to her.

"Investigation is being done in Varnika Kundu case. Whatever action is required it will be taken against Vikas in this case. BJP bats for daughter's freedom and Varnika Kundu is like my daughter. Neither I nor BJP is pressuring anyone in this matter," he told ANI exclusively.

The Congress has accused the BJP of hatching conspiracy and pressurizing Chandigarh administration to protect the son of Haryana BJP chief.

"This is extremely clear that BJP is pressurizing Chandigarh administration and hatching conspiracy to protect the son of its political leader. May we ask on behalf of people of India if drunken youth, goons chase a girl for seven kilometres, attempt to block her car and forcibly open the door and try to enter the car, is it not the case of abduction and outraging the modesty of a woman? Why have these offences not been lodged? The Prime Minister and the chief minister must answer these questions to the people of the country," Surjewala told ANI.

Chandigarh Police, however, refuted claims that they are not willing to lodge complaints against Vikas and said that they are doing an investigation with an open mind.

Speaking to the media on the matter, Eish Sehgal, SSP Chandigarh Police, said that the police are not aiding the minister in the investigation and are doing their best to solve the matter.

He said, "We are looking into the matter from all the perspectives. We don't want to investigate the matter under any pressure."

Vikas Barala was arrested on August 5 on the charges of stalking and harassing the IAS officer's daughter in Chandigarh. He was, however, granted bail on the same day.

A case was registered by the Chandigarh Police against Vikas and other youth under Section 354 D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 185 (Motor Vehicle Act) of the CRPC on the basis of a complaint filed by the woman.

-ANI