I am being made a scapegoat: Barala

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 12

“I am being made a scapegoat and have done nothing.” These were the words of Haryana BJP chief’s son Vikas Barala as he spoke to his lawyer, Surya Prakash Garg, in a local court today. 

This is the first time that the accused has talked in public in the stalking case involving Varnika Kundu, daughter of an IAS officer. He, along with his friend Ashish Kumar, was booked on August 5 under various sections, including stalking and attempt to abduction (added later).    

Garg, who could speak to Barala for a second, said: “By this, he meant he had done nothing and was being framed as he is the son of a senior party leader. He was not stalking the girl and he did not even know that a girl was there in the car. He was on his own way.”

His lawyer said he had a word with Barala’s family who had said the police should thoroughly probe the matter, so that whatever the truth is, it comes to light. While denying all charges against the duo, Garg had told the court during previous hearing that there was no recovery of weapon from them, nor there was any intention behind the alleged stalking.    

Judicial remand for both accused

The court of Duty Magistrate Gaurav Dutta on Saturday sent the duo to Burail Jail in judicial custody as the Chandigarh police did not seek their further remand. They were remanded in two-day police custody on January 10. During the past two days, the police reconstructed the crime scene on the route where alleged stalking took place. There was no word from the police about the motive of the crime. Earlier, while pleading for the accused’s police remand, the police had stated that they wanted to find out the motive.