Investigation agencies under BJP's thumb: Cong on Chandigarh stalking case

Accusing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of shielding the state unit chief Subhash Barala's son, who is accused of stalking and allegedly attempting to kidnap the daughter of a senior IAS officer, the Congress on Tuesday asserted that all the investigation agencies are under the saffron party's thumb.

Speaking to ANI here, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, "You know that where BJP people are involved in any criminal activity, NIA, CBI take u-turn and if SSP takes a u-turn, then what is so surprising in it? The investigation agencies, police have to save BJP state unit president's son as they are under their control."

Opposing accused Vikas Barala's bail in the case, Sibal said it should not be considered as a bailable offence.

Resonating similar views, Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee questioned the BJP as to why a case of abduction and assault to the modesty of the women hasn't been filed.

"They just have filed the case of stalking but whatever the thing has come out in the media and according to the complaint of girl it was case of abduct, assault. So case should be filed under IPC section 354 non bailable offence. Why BJP is trying to dilute the case. They just want save BJP state unit president's son," she stated.

On Monday, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi expressed concerns over Chandigarh stalking case victim Varnika Kundu and said that the accused should not have been let out on bail without due verification and interrogation.

Bedi took to Twitter, saying; "His (accused) custody ought to have been sought to verify the allegation. Police would have played a more JUST role in a sensitive crime as of stalking and alleged attempt to kidnap (sic).

Bedi later added that the accused should have been sent for a medical check up and the rest would have fallen in place.

On Aug 5, Vikas Barala, son of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Haryana unit President Subhash Barala, was arrested 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 complaint filed by Varnika.

Narrating the horrific ordeal, Varnika had told the media she was lucky for not being the daughter of a common man.

"I'm lucky, it seems, to not be the daughter of a common man, because what chance would they have against such VIPs? I'm also lucky, because I'm not lying raped and murdered in a ditch somewhere," she had written in a Facebook.