The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a free and fair investigation into the alleged stalking of a woman in Chandigarh by Vikas Barala, son of Subhash Barala, president of the Haryana State unit, while the victim’s father sought “maximum punishment” for the accused.
The commission has asked for regular updates, NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam said. “In the letter [to the police], we have asked them to conduct a quick, immediate, fair and free investigation in the case and let us know what is happening in every stage,” she said.
Vikas, 23, and his friend, Ashish Kumar, 27, were arrested and released on bail. The two were charged with bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act.
Cong. charges
Ms. Kumaramangalam’s comments came amid allegations by the Congress that the Union government and the BJP were conspiring to hush up the case.
“I have always said that who these people are should not matter ... they could be rich, poor, political, religious, doesn’t matter. Crime against women is crime against women,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the police and the judicial system come under a lot of pressure from the so-called VVIPs and that is not correct.”
Ms. Kumaramangalam also described as “regrettable and unfortunate” the reported remarks by Chandigarh BJP vice-president Ramveer Bhatti that girls and women should not be going out alone during midnight. Denying making such comments, Mr. Bhatti said, “What I meant to convey is that it is the responsibility of parents to watch over their children and their activities. It is a general statement and not one directed at the victim.”
Father’s stand
In a Facebook post, the woman’s father, an IAS officer, said that he would move court if charges against the duo were “diluted”.
He, however, asserted that the family would not interfere with the investigation.
“We will not interfere with the investigation or the prosecution, just as we do not want the accused to influence the investigation in any way. The police and prosecution should be allowed to do their job. We will join the investigation whenever required by the police. We will contest in the court if we feel the charges are diluted or inadequately framed,” he said.
Not to back out
He promised the people who were supporting his family that, “We shall not, ever, back out or stand out, irrespective of hardships or pressures.”
He said the accused were law students and hence fully aware of the consequences of their action. “Our target is to ensure that the guilty are brought to book,” he said.
Swamy seeks CBI probe
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has accused the Chandigarh Police of doing a “somersault” on the case, and said he would file a public interest litigation petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a court-monitored CBI probe into the stalking incident. “With my associate lawyer A.P. Jagga , I will file a PIL,” he tweeted.