Will fight for justice, says stalking victim's father

Even as a senior Haryana IAS officer on Sunday said he was determined to ensure justice for his daughter who was allegedly stalked by Haryana BJP President Subhash Barala's son, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar supported Barala.

Chandigarh Police on Saturday booked and arrested Vikas Barala and his accomplice Ashish on charge of stalking the young woman. Both were apprehended from the Housing Board light point here early on Saturday and were said to be drunk.

The woman's father, an Additional Chief Secretary ranked officer in the Haryana government, said in a post on the social media: "If we do not persist in trying to bring the guilty to justice, more and more daughters will suffer this hurt."

On the other hand, Khattar told the media in Hisar: "This case has nothing to do with (state Bharatiya Janata Party chief) Subhash Barala. This is an act of an individual. Such an act is highly condemnable, if proved correct."

"The matter has been brought to my notice. The accused will be punished, if found guilty. This is my official stand on the matter," Khattar said.

The Chief Minister said he had full faith in the Chandigarh Police and that justice will prevail.

Chandigarh's Deputy Superintendent of Police (East) Satish Kumar said the two accused were booked under Section 354D (stalking a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 341 (wrongful restraint) was later added in the FIR.

Subhash Barala is a legislator from Tohana seat.

--IANS

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