Vikas Barala's appointment against Haryana's 'asmita': Retired IAS officers

A group of about 45 retired IAS officers (1986 batch) has written to CM Nayab Singh Saini against the appointment of Vikas Barala, an accused in a 2017 sexual harassment case, as Additional Advocate General (AAG) in the Advocate General’s Delhi office.

Related news: MP Subhash Barala’s son Vikas yet to join AG office

Vikas Barala, the son of ex-state BJP chief Subhash Barala, is accused of stalking Varnika Kundu, the daughter of retired IAS officer VS Kundu. The trial is pending at a court in Chandigarh.

Expressing shock at the appointment, the retired IAS officers said, “We are at a loss to understand the logic behind the appointment of a person accused of stalking a woman as AAG. He will work as the state legal officer when he is himself on the wrong side of the law in such a serious matter. It seems your government failed to consider the existence of a serious criminal case against Mr Barala, or he would not be appointed, being disqualified for such a sensitive post.”

The letter added, “This appointment also goes against the 'asmita' of Haryana. By appointing this accused as AAG, you have gone against the Hon’ble PM's slogan of 'Beti Bachao'. We condemn this decision of your government. Your attention is drawn to the 2011 judgement of the Apex Court, by which the appointment of Mr PJ Thomas as head of the Central Vigilance Commission was annulled in view of the case pending against him. Similar facts apply in this case.”

They requested the CM to revoke the appointment as his continuance at the post “is likely to affect the outcome of the case in which he is accused”.

They also requested the CM to take up the matter with the judiciary to fast-track the trial of the case, as over seven years had already passed.