Chandigarh stalking case: Will take logical step against Vikas Barala in case of no show, says DGP

In a recent development to the Chandigarh stalking incident involving Haryana BJP chief’s son Vikas Barala, DGP Tajender Singh Luthra confirmed that the police have sufficient evidence to probe the case and that the accused is expected to show up at the police station as asked. Speaking to CNN-News18, Luthra said that the police now have footage from six CCTVs. “We have sufficient footage that indicates that this girl was being chased,” he said. He also said that there were many witnesses in the case, including police officers. However, he refused to divulge further details.

#EXCLUSIVE We are conducting the investigation. We have called the accused for interrogation: Chandigarh DGP to @jyotik #ChandigarhStalking pic.twitter.com/OrKOizK2XY

— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 9, 2017

The police had issued summons to Barala on Wednesday, which was confirmed to have been received by him. Responding on what would happen if the accused did not appear, the DGP told CNN-News18, “I am a positive man. I hope for the best. If they do not come, the next logical step of the investigation shall be taken.” Addressing the media on Wednesday, the DGP had also said that the two accused had refused to give their blood and urine samples when they were arrested. “Such refusal will be held against them in the investigation and trial,” ANI quoted him as saying. Even though Barala was asked to appear at 11 am sharp on Wednesday, the accused did not turn up on time at the police station.

Vikas Barala refused to accept the notice therefore we have pasted the notice on the wall of his residence: T Luthra, Chandigarh IG pic.twitter.com/1QVdZbcMhC

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2017

On 4 August, 29-year-old Varnika Kundu called up the police complaining that two men were chasing her in a car along a stretch in Chandigarh. Both Vikas and his friend Ashish Kumar were arrested on Saturday but were released on bail within the next few hours. The police booked the two on bailable charges: Section 354 D (Stalking) of IPC, 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act (Driving under influence), Section 341 (Wrongful restraint). The Chandigarh Police, which is probing the case, had received flak on Monday after they had stated that the CCTVs along the route were non-functional and also for not booking the two on serious charges like attempt to kidnap, which the victim had claimed was the case. Now that the DGP has confirmed that they have enough evidence, the scope of the investigation has widened.