The recent appointment of Vikas Barala, son of former Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala, as an Assistant Advocate General (AAG) in the state has sparked massive controversy. Barala is currently facing trial in a high-profile stalking and attempted abduction case involving Varnika Kundu, the daughter of a senior IAS officer. According to The Times of India, the move has ignited sharp criticism from legal experts, opposition parties, and women’s rights activists, questioning the ethics of appointing someone with pending serious criminal charges to a government legal post.
Who is Vikas Barala?
Vikas Barala is the son of Subhash Barala, former state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana and a current Rajya Sabha MP. A law graduate, Vikas was among 97 individuals appointed as law officers in the Haryana Advocate General’s office on July 18, 2025. His name in the official notification surprised many, given the ongoing court proceedings against him.
The 2017 Stalking Case
The controversy stems from an incident that took place in August 2017 in Chandigarh. Vikas Barala and his friend were arrested for allegedly stalking and attempting to abduct Varnika Kundu, a DJ and the daughter of senior bureaucrat V. S. Kundu. According to the police FIR, Vikas and his friend followed Varnika’s car late at night and tried to block her path, despite her repeated attempts to escape.
The case created a nationwide uproar and brought attention to women’s safety in urban India. The accused were booked under sections related to stalking and attempted abduction. While they were initially released on bail, they were later re-arrested and spent five months in judicial custody. In January 2018, both were released on bail. Since then, the case has been under trial in a Chandigarh court.
Ongoing Trial and Next Hearing
Eight years later, the trial is still ongoing. According to court records, charges were framed under IPC Sections 354-D (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 365 (attempt to abduct). The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 2, 2025, when the court is expected to record the defense evidence. Despite the delay, the case has not been dismissed, and Vikas Barala remains an accused.
Public Backlash Over Appointment
The appointment has not gone unnoticed. The news has triggered strong reactions across social and political circles. Many believe that giving a key legal role to someone facing such serious charges sends a poor message, especially to victims of gender-based crimes. Critics argue that this decision reflects a “clear conflict of interest” and undermines the credibility of the state’s legal machinery.
Varnika Kundu has publicly expressed her frustration over the slow judicial process and called the appointment a “betrayal of justice.” She questioned how someone under trial for harassing a woman could be trusted to represent the state in legal matters. “My faith in the system is deeply shaken,” she said.
Ethical and Legal Questions
Under the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016, an individual convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude is barred from being appointed as a law officer. However, the law remains silent on those who are under trial but not yet convicted. This loophole has sparked widespread debate about whether it’s morally right to appoint individuals with pending criminal charges to sensitive government positions.
Legal experts say that while there may not be a technical violation of the law, the decision certainly goes against the spirit of public accountability and transparency.
Opposition Demands Rollback
The opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have demanded an immediate rollback of the appointment. “This is not just about one person; it’s about the values the state government stands for,” said a senior Congress leader. Women’s rights groups have also staged protests and submitted a memorandum to the Haryana Governor, urging him to intervene and ensure that ethical norms are upheld.
BJP Defends Decision
In contrast, the ruling BJP has defended the appointment, saying that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A party spokesperson said that Vikas Barala has the required legal qualifications and that the matter is sub judice.
The Larger Picture
This controversy has once again raised important questions about the intersection of politics, power, and the legal system in India. As the case continues to unfold in court, the spotlight remains firmly on how the state handles allegations against individuals in positions of influence.
Photo Credit: HT
