The Chandigarh stalking victim, Varnika Kundu, on Monday vowed to continue her fight till she gets justice. The 29-year-old DJ, who was allegedly stalked by Haryana BJP chief’s son and his friend, said she is thankful to the Chandigarh Police for saving her and has full faith that they would pursue investigations honestly and not bow down to any pressure.
Her father, Virender Kundu, Haryana cadre IAS officer, said he will move court if the charges in the case are diluted and will put forth his version in the court. He has faith that the same police force that saved his daughter’s life would ensure justice, he added.
On media report about ‘non-functional CCTV cameras’, the IAS officer said that he had found out from the media, not the police, that the CCTV footage had gone ‘missing’. “Immediately after an FIR was lodged, I had requested the Home Department to secure the CCTV footage. I was assured about it by the DGP,” he added.
Meanwhile, the stalking case has raised political temperature in Chandigarh with Opposition parties demanding resignation of the stalker’s father — Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala — and the BJP defending the party leader and ruling out any possibility of his resignation.
BJP MP from Chandigarh Kirron Kher assured the victim and her family that justice would be done. She also lamented that certain “wild allegations” like the one on CCTV footage going missing were being made and stressed that the law would take its course.
However, Chandigarh SSP Eish Singhal evaded questions about CCTV footage. “We are carrying out technical analysis of the CCTV cameras identified along the route,” he said. The SSP said that he cannot comment on how much time it will take to get the technical analysis done.”
Denying any political pressure in the investigation of the case, the SSP blamed the media for conducting a “media trial” in the matter.
Responding on the allegations of diluting the case and going soft against the accused, Singhal said, “We are investigating the case with an open mind. If any section has to be added at a later stage, we will do it.”
Meanwhile, sources indicated that Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala offered to give his resignation following the huge embarrassment that the party faced in the wake of stalking case.
However, the party has denied any such move. Defending Barala, senior party leaders maintained that the party chief would not tender resignation as he has done nothing wrong. Senior BJP leader Anil Jain, who is incharge of the party’s Haryana affairs, said, “Subhash Barala has nothing to with Vikas Barala case. The law will take its own course. There is no reason for Subhash Barala’s resignation.”
Jain’s statement came at a time when the Opposition parties have launched a scathing attack on the BJP on the issue and have been demanding state BJP chief’s resignation.
Chandigarh SSP Eish Singhal, while talking to the medipersons said police are not under any political pressure in the investigation regarding the stalking case and also, blamed the media for conducting a “media trial” in the matter.
Earlier in the day, the IAS officer on his Facebook post also praised his daughter and said he was proud of her for taking on the worst form of chauvinism in society.
Virender acknowledged on his post that the “difficulties” he might face in fighting this case is nothing in comparison with what his daughter Varnika has to deal with.
“You have chosen to take on the worst form of chauvinism manifested in our society. My difficulties on account of this decision are nothing compared to yours,” wrote Kundu.
He said, “Our target is to ensure that the guilty are brought to book. They are adult men, students of law, who are fully aware of the consequences of their actions, and hence must be appropriately punished for their offences committed.”
“In my mind, the issue is not of Varnika being assaulted or two specific criminals to be punished. The issue is, does our country allow a woman to live as a free and equal citizen, and if she is wronged, does it give her enough confidence to even claim justiceIJ If not, we are no better than a lawless, barbaric society,” he concluded.
Virender’s daughter had alleged that Haryana BJP chief’s son Vikas Barala and his friend had harassed and chased her while she was driving alone, on her way home on Friday midnight. She also alleged that they even tried to open the door of her car.
Vikas and his friend were arrested after she filed a complaint with the Chandigarh Police soon after the incident took place. Medical reports have confirmed that the accused were inebriated at the time of the incident.
Varnika had also made a detailed Facebook post about the incident and it soon made national headlines.