Haryana: Can't punish Subhash Barala for son's crime, says CM Manohar Lal on 'stalking' case

The victim, daughter of a senior Haryana cadre IAS officer, shared her traumatic experience in a Facebook post.

Image: Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar/ANI

New Delhi: After the Opposition demanded action against Haryana BJP state president Subhash Barala, after his son Vikas was arrested for allegedly stalking a woman, state Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said it was not right to punish the minister for his son's crime. "I came to know about this incident. Chandigarh Police has filed the complaint and I believe they will take appropriate action. This matter is not related with Subhash Barala but with an individual. So action would be taken against his son," Khattar told media. The son of Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala was arrested along with another person for allegedly stalking a senior state IAS officer's daughter, police said on Saturday. Vikas Barala was arrested by the police along with his accomplice, Ashish, from the Housing Board light early on Saturday. Police said that both accused were drunk when they were stalking the victim. Police officials said that Vikas and Ashish were granted bail as the sections imposed against them were bailable. The victim, daughter of a senior Haryana cadre IAS officer, shared her traumatic experience in a Facebook post. The victim, who was driving towards adjoining Panchkula town, alleged that both men followed her in their Tata Safari Storm SUV (HR 23-G-1008) from the Sector 7 area. She said she was driving alone from Sector 8 in Chandigarh towards Panchkula around 12.15 a.m. (on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday) when the two youth started following her. She said that the SUV pulled up close to her car several times and even tried to block her way to force her to other routes. She claimed that at one point, the SUV blocked her way and one youth jumped out of it and started walking towards her vehicle. While she reversed at full speed and tried to evade them, they continued to follow her. The victim then called up the Police Control Room and gave the number details of the SUV. Police intercepted the car at the boundary of Chandigarh and Panchkula (which is in Haryana). Deputy Superintendent of Police, East, Satish Kumar said that the youth were arrested and booked under section 354 D (for stalking a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 341 IPC (wrongful restraint) was later added against the accused. "We have arrested both the accused. We got their medical examination done and it was confirmed that they were under the influence of liquor," Kumar told media. He confirmed that one of the suspects was related to a senior BJP leader of Haryana. Both the accused are law students. Police sources told IANS that the Chandigarh Police was under pressure from political leaders in Haryana and the Central government to dilute the case against Vikas and his friend. Subhash Barala is a sitting legislator of Haryana's ruling BJP from Tohana assembly seat and a powerful Jat leader. (With inputs from agencies)