Chargesheet filed, runs into 300 pages

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 21

The Chandigarh Police today submitted the chargesheet in the much-hyped Varnika Kundu stalking case in the District Courts here. According to sources, the 40-odd witnesses include Haryana BJP chief Subash Barala, father of accused Vikas Barala, and senior IAS officer Virendra Kundu, father of complainant Varnika Kundu.

The 300-page chargesheet includes the same sections under which the FIR was registered in the case. Taking a tough stance against them, the District Courts here have rejected the bail plea of the accused twice.

Vikas Barala (23) and Ashish Kumar (27) were re-arrested on August 9 and charged with attempted abduction under Section 365 of the Indian Penal Code, and also under Section 511, a provision that deals with attempt to commit an offence punishable with life or other imprisonment. Although the police had previously arrested the two for stalking, an offence that attracts a jail term of three years at the first offence, they later added attempted abduction to their charges under growing public pressure.

The duo had been released on bail soon after their arrest the first time, but was re-arrested after the police added the charge

On August 5, Vikas, a law student of Kurukshetra University, and his friend Ashish, a law graduate, had allegedly followed Varnika, blocked her way and tried to abduct her. The girl called up the Chandigarh Police and the boys were nabbed. At the time of the incident, they were said to be under the influence of liquor.