The high court also directed the trial court to complete the cross-examination of Varnika Kundu before January 11 when the bail plea will be considered, said Barala's counsel Vinod Ghai. Barala's counsel had sought a regular bail from the court, submitting his client has been behind the bars for nearly four months and should be granted bail. Barala had moved the high court last month after a local court denied him bail for the fourth time.



Charges have been framed against Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar in connection with the stalking of Varnika Kundu. The woman had accused Vikas Barala (23) and his friend Kumar (27) of stalking and attempting to abduct her.

The two men were arrested on the intervening night of August 4-5 following the woman's complaint, but were released on bail as they were booked under bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act. They were arrested again on August 9 after they joined the investigation and were charged with attempted abduction under sections 365 and 511 of the IPC.