Former Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala’s son Vikas Barala, who was facing trial in the stalking case of disc jockey Varnika Kundu in 2017, has been appointed as a law officer by the state government with the Advocate General’s (AG) office. Barala, who is among over 100 law officers whose appointments were notified on July 18 by the state government. He has been appointed as assistant advocate general at Delhi office of the AG. The Kundu stalking case back then grabbed headlines and raised concerns over issues of women’s safety and the influence of political connections in legal proceedings. On the night of August 4, 2017, Kundu, daughter of former senior IAS officer VS Kundu, was heading to her home in Chandigarh when she noticed a car following her, Hindustan Times reported. When Vikas Barala and his friend allegedly pursued the woman, attempted to block her path, and tried to enter her vehicle. Barala and his friend were initially charged under Section 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act by the Chandigarh police. Charges of attempted abduction were added later following widespread criticism of police functioning. Two months after the incident, a Chandigarh court framed charges against the duo. Barala remained in jail for five months and appeared in his law course exam during the period. The case is being tried at a judicial magistrate (first class) court in Chandigarh, where prosecution evidence is complete and defence witness examination is underway, according to HT. Meanwhile, Kundu expressed her disappointment over the judiciary as her case has been lingering on for the last 8 years in district courts. “I still have faith in judiciary but it’s kind of wavering now due to repeated adjournments as the trial is being dragged and delayed. It’s been eight years and a long wait for justice. As far as the appointment of Vikas Barala is concerned, I would not like to comment on that at this stage,” she said.