Chandigarh: Nayab Singh Saini-led Haryana government stoked a controversy by appointing BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala’s son Vikas Barala as Assistant Advocate General (AAG) in the state. Notably, Vikas Barala is facing charges of sexual harassment for allegedly stalking and attempting to kidnap the daughter of an IAS officer in 2017.
Vikas was named as an accused in the case. Vikas was named as AAG in a notification issued by the Haryana government on July 18. Vikas and 96 others were listed in the notification for several posts, including AAGs, Deputy Advocate Generals, Senior Deputy Advocate Generals and Additional Advocate Generals.
Who Is Vikar Barala?
Vikas is the son of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala, who is currently on bail in the sexual harassment case. Notably, the case is being heard in a Chandigarh court. On August 5, 2017, Vikas and his friend were booked after a complaint was filed by Varnika Kundu, daughter of Haryana-cadre IAS officer V S Kundu. She alleged that Vikas and his friend chased her and tried to barge into her vehicle late at night in Chandigarh.
The duo was booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 354D (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint), 365 (attempt to abduct) and 511, apart from charges of drunk driving, reported The Indian Express.
At the time of the incident, Suresh Barala was Haryana's BJP chief. After Barnika's complaint, Vikas and his friend Ashish were arrested on August 9, 2017. Vikas was lodged in Chandigarh’s Model Jail at Burail. He was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in January 2018.
At the time of the incident, Vikas was a law student and was allowed by the high court to appear for his exams in December 2017.
Meanwhile, Suresh Barala served as the BJP chief of the Haryana unit from 2014 to 2020.
