Proud of daughter, won’t give up fight: father of Haryana stalking victim

An IAS officer on his Facebook post, on Monday, praised his daughter and said he was “proud” of her for taking on the “worst form of chauvinism” in society.

“We will never back out and fight till the end,” he added.

29-year-old Varnika Kundu was harassed and stalked by Vikas Barala, a Haryana BJP leader’s son in Chandigarh, in the wee hours of Saturday.

IAS officer Virender acknowledged on his post that the “difficulties” he might face in fighting this case is nothing in comparison with what his daughter Varnika has to deal with.

“You have chosen to take on the worst form of chauvinism manifested in our society. My difficulties on account of this decision are nothing compared to yours,” wrote Kundu.

“Our target is to ensure that the guilty are brought to book. They are adult men, students of law, who are fully aware of the consequences of their actions, and hence must be appropriately punished for their offences committed,” he said.

Virender’s daughter had alleged that Haryana BJP chief’s son Vikas Barala and his friend harassed and chased her while she was driving alone, on her way home on Saturday. She alleged that they even tried to open the door of her car.

Vikas and his friend were arrested after she filed a complaint with the police soon after the incident took place. Medical reports have confirmed that the accused were inebriated at the time of the incident, officials said.

Praising the Chandigarh Police for its swift actions, the father said, “We firmly believe that after 70 years of Independence and democracy, the legal system of our country is mature and geared up to deliver justice.”

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, on Sunday, assured justice to the victim and said, action will be taken against the accused if proven guilty.

“I came to know about this incident. Chandigarh Police has filed the complaint and I believe they will take appropriate action. This matter is not related with Subhash Barala but with an individual. So action would be taken against his son,” Khattar said.

Later on Sunday, the Congress accused the BJP government in Haryana of protecting Vikas from punishment.

On an earlier Facebook post, Virender had narrated the incident in detail.

He wrote: “As a father of two daughters, I feel compelled to take this matter to its logical conclusion. The goons must be punished, and the law must take its course. As would be expected, the goons are from influential families.”

Following this, on Monday, he took to social media and added, “the criminals must be punished.”