Cops clam up, yet to amend FIR, CCTV grabs look hazy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 8

It’s been four days and the police are still wondering if they should add more sections under the IPC to the stalking case. Of course, a case of bailable offence was registered against the two youths, including the son of Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala, for chasing a woman in the dead of night. But the delay has raised many a question. Is it that the police are buying time by seeking a legal opinion?

Vikas Barala (23), son of Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala, and his friend Ashish Kumar (22), were arrested for trying to block the victim’s way with their car while she was heading home. The accused also chased her before being nabbed by the police at the Housing Board light point. They were later released on bail since the offence they were booked for was bailable.

The FIR was initially lodged under Section 354-D of the IPC (stalking) and Sections 341 of the IPC (wrongful restraint) and 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of drugs) were added to the case.

Despite the complainant stating that the accused attempted to kidnap her, relevant sections were not added to the FIR. The UT Police are already facing flak for a botched-up probe and the delay in adding relevant sections to the case will only put them in a tight spot.

A police official said: “It hardly takes an hour to decide which sections are to be added to an FIR.”

Not even a single official was available for comments.

The daily press briefing over any development in the case as assured by UT SSP Eish Singhal also didn’t take place today.