Chandigarh stalking: We've sufficient evidence against accused, say police
Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Police on Wednesday said that it has sufficient evidence to establish that the accused, Haryana BJP chief's son Vikas Barala and his friend, stalked and chased Varnika Kundu in Chandigarh late on Friday night.
“Additional evidence is welcome but we now have sufficient CCTV footage,” ANI quoted Chandigarh DGP Tejinder Luthra as saying.
Police on Wednesday morning summoned Vikas and his friend Ashish Kumar in the case. While Ashish accepted the notice, Vikas did not.
“Vikas Barala refused to accept the notice therefore we have pasted the notice on the wall of his residence,” Luthra said, adding that “Everything under the sun will be done to ensure justice”.
The DGP also said: “Accused refused to give their blood and urine samples. Such refusal will be held against them in the investigation and trial”.
The accused were asked to appear before the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sector-26 Police Station “sharp at 11 am” in connection with the Haryana stalking case, according to ANI.
The notice was issued after the Chandigarh Police examined the CCTV footage of the victim being chased by Vikas.
Police have issued the notice under 160 Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the case has been filed against Barala under Section 354D (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint), 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 185 MV Act (rash driving).
29-year-old Varnika Kundu had accused Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar of stalking her after midnight on Friday. She had also alleged that Vikas tried to open her car door.
She had filed a police complaint on the same night, following which Vikas and his friend were arrested. However, they were later released on bail.
A case was registered by the Chandigarh Police against Vikas and other youth under 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 the woman.
The Congress has accused the BJP of hatching conspiracy and pressurising the Chandigarh Police to protect the son of Haryana BJP chief.
Chandigarh Police, however, refuted claims that they are not willing to lodge complaints against Vikas and said that they are doing investigation with an open mind.
After being mute for over three days, Subhash finalling broke his silence on the matter on Tuesday. Addressing media, Subhash said Varnika "is like his daughter" and assured action against his son.
"Investigation is being done in the case. Whatever action is required it will be taken against Vikas in this case. BJP bats for daughter's freedom and Varnika Kundu is like my daughter. Neither I nor BJP is pressuring anyone in this matter," he told ANI exclusively.
