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14 months after Varnika was ‘stalked’, trial losing steam?

CHANDIGARH: More than 14 months after a Panchkula-based DJ was stalked on city roads by the son of the Haryana BJP chief, the trial now seems to be losing steam.


14 months after Varnika was ‘stalked’, trial losing steam?

Varnika Kundu



Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16

More than 14 months after a Panchkula-based DJ was stalked on city roads by the son of the Haryana BJP chief, the trial now seems to be losing steam. Charged with stalking and attempting to abduct 29-year-old Varnika Kundu, the accused, Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar, are now out on bail.

In August last year, Varnika, daughter of a senior IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, Virendra Kundu, narrated her ordeal to the police about how her car was followed by the SUV of the accused from Sector 7 to the Housing Board light point. She alleged that the accused tapped on her windowpane there and tried to open the door as well. However, she had already called up the police, who reached there just in time and nabbed the accused.

In September last year, the case was heard thrice, while in September this year, just once. Similarly, in October 2017, the case was heard five times. The trend can thus be observed as multiple adjournments are now being given in the case. On December 21 last year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had intervened and asked the District Courts to finish Varnika’s cross-examination before January 11.

The same day, Vikas was granted bail and the trial seems to have lost its pace after that. An application filed by the accused under Section 340 of the CrPC is pending in the court since February.

Claiming that Varnika Kundu and her father Virender Kundu forged documents, including the complaint, the defence had submitted an application in the court demanding initiation of perjury proceedings against the father-daughter duo. The application is yet to be considered by the court and the matter is being adjourned for the past eight months. The next date for its consideration is October 30.

The trial itself is still on the stage of prosecution witness. On the next date of hearing on October 31, the CCTV footage from the areas where the incident took place is to be viewed in the court. In the last hearing, the same could not be done due to technical difficulties. The investigating officer if the case is also yet to be examined.

Media lost interest, trial efficiency: Varnika

Varnika feels that till the case was in the public eye and was being constantly reported by the media, the trial was speedy. She said, “I keep track of the court proceedings; the efficiency has been lost now”. She said there seemed to be no pressure now and, hence, the trial was moving at a snail’s pace.

Defence counsel Rabindra Pandit feels it is not the case. “The case is going on just like any other case; the witnesses are being examined and if they do no turn up, the court cannot do much”. He said the complainant’s evidence was important and that was done as quickly as possible.

The case

On the intervening night of August 4 and August 5, 2017, Vikas, a law student of Kurukshetra University, and his friend Ashish, a law graduate, had allegedly followed Varnika in a Tata Safari vehicle and tried to abduct her post-midnight. The girl, who was driving the car alone, called up the police and the boys were nabbed.

At the time of the incident, they were reportedly under the influence of liquor. Both were booked for stalking and wrongful confinement initially and under the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act. Later, the police added two more Sections, including attempt to abduct, and the duo was re-arrested on August 9, 2017, when they joined the investigation.

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