Chandigarh, July 23, 2025 — In a move that has sparked widespread controversy, Vikas Barala, son of BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former Haryana party chief Subhash Barala, has been appointed as an Assistant Advocate General in the office of the Haryana Advocate General in Delhi. The appointment comes despite Barala currently facing trial in a high-profile 2017 stalking and attempted abduction case involving Varnika Kundu, daughter of senior IAS officer VS Kundu.
The incident occurred on the night of August 4, 2017, when Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar allegedly followed Kundu’s car through Chandigarh, attempted to block her path, and tried to enter her vehicle. The duo was initially booked under Section 354D (stalking) and later charged with attempted abduction under Sections 365 and 511 of the IPC. Barala spent over five months in jail before being granted bail in January 2018. The trial remains ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for August 2, 2025.
Barala’s appointment was part of a broader recruitment drive notified on July 18, which saw the engagement of over 95 law officers, including Additional, Senior Deputy, Deputy, and Assistant Advocate Generals. The selection process was conducted under the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016, which bars appointments only for individuals convicted of offenses involving moral turpitude—not those merely facing trial.
The appointment has drawn criticism from legal experts and civil society groups, who argue it undermines public trust in the legal system. Varnika Kundu, the complainant, expressed disappointment over the prolonged trial and said, “It’s been eight years. I still have faith in the judiciary, but it’s wavering due to repeated adjournments”.
Haryana Minister Ranbir Gangwa defended the appointment, stating that Barala was selected after “proper investigation” by a committee and dismissed allegations of nepotism.
Barala will now represent the Haryana government before judicial platforms in the national capital, even as his own legal battle continues in Chandigarh.
