India's former explosive opener Virender Sehwag has come out in strong support of Varnika Kundu, the daughter of an IAS officer who was allegedly stalked by Haryana's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Subhash Barala's son Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar around midnight on August 4.
Sehwag, known for his sharp timely wit on social media, has tweeted in support of Varnika, demanding strong action against the culprits. Sehwag said the incident was "shameful" and a pair probe should be conducted "without any influence."
"Chandigarh stalking incident is shameful & a fair probe should be done without any influence. Koi bhi ho, Kaayde me rahoge, Faayde me rahoge," Sehwag tweeted.
The 29-year-old Varnika was driving towards the adjoining Panchkula town when, according to her complaint, the two men followed her in their Tata Safari Storm SUV. The victim alleged that the youth tried to intimidate her and abduct her.
The Chandigarh Police on August 5 arrested Vikas and Ashish from the Housing Board light point and booked them under section 354 D (stalking a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
However, the police's handling of the incident of stalking and alleged attempt to kidnap Varnika has snowballed into a major controversy with the opposition accusing the BJP government in Haryana of shielding the state unit chief and his son.
The government headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar continued to draw flak for the pressure that was allegedly brought on the Chandigarh Police to dilute the case against Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar.
Meanwhile, Varnika's father - VS Kundu, Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary, said he was determined to ensure justice for his daughter.
