On bail for stalking and harassment, BJP MP’s son appointed Haryana law officer

In a move sparking outrage and raising serious questions about political privilege and institutional accountability, the Haryana government has appointed Vikas Barala — son of BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former state party chief Subhash Barala — as an Assistant Advocate General, despite his ongoing trial in a high-profile sexual harassment case.

Barala, who is currently out on bail, is one of 97 individuals named in an official government notification issued on July 18 for appointments to various law officer positions including Assistant, Deputy, and Additional Advocate Generals.

Vikas Barala was arrested in August 2017 after allegedly stalking and attempting to abduct Varnika Kundu, daughter of senior IAS officer V S Kundu, in Chandigarh. He was later charged under IPC sections 354D (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint), 365 (attempt to abduct), and 511, alongside charges of drunk driving. His friend Ashish Kumar was also named as a co-accused.

The incident, which took place late at night, triggered national outrage and ignited debates around women’s safety, misuse of political power, and legal delays.

While the charges were formally framed in October 2017, the case continues to crawl through the judicial system. The next hearing is scheduled for August 2, 2025 — more than eight years after the FIR was registered. “It’s unfortunate,” said V S Kundu. “We had a lot of faith in the judiciary, but it’s been seven years and the defense evidence is yet to begin.”

Barala was a law student when the incident occurred. Despite being incarcerated in Chandigarh’s Burail jail until January 2018, he was allowed to take his university exams with court permission. His legal career now finds a foothold in the same system where he remains an accused.

The appointment has triggered political and civil backlash. Former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda questioned the government’s decision. “Only competent people should be appointed to the Advocate General’s office,” Hooda said, pointedly implying that Barala’s pending criminal trial should have disqualified him.

Notably, the state’s Advocate General Parvindra Singh Chauhan did not respond to requests for comment, nor did Vikas Barala or his father Subhash Barala — who now holds a Rajya Sabha seat after an unopposed election in February this year.

Meanwhile, Varnika Kundu and her father have maintained a dignified distance from the controversy. “This is not something my daughter or I need to comment on,” said Kundu. “It’s for the government to decide the kind of people it wants to appoint.”

The case now underscores a deeper concern: how political influence may be enabling backdoor access to public office, even for those yet to be cleared of serious criminal allegations.