After CCTV footage of a white sports utility vehicle following the victim’s car in the ‘Chandigarh stalking case’ emerged on social media on Tuesday, the clamour against the police and BJP leaders has intensified. Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala, whose son Vikas is involved in the incident broke his silence, saying there was no attempt to influence the investigation, and the victim was like his own daughter.
Members of several political parties staged protests in Chandigarh and Haryana demanding the arrest of Vikas and his friend Ashish, who are facing charges of alleged stalking and harassment of a young woman, daughter of an IAS officer.
The two were released soon after their arrest on Friday night.
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Even after the CCTV footage surfaced on Tuesday, which apparently could corroborate the charges of kidnapping by the victim in the complaint, the Chandigarh police are silent on the progress in the case.
Informed sources said the Chandigarh police had got footage from at least five CCTV cameras that shows the victim’s vehicle being chased. But whether the feed is from private cameras or from those installed by the administration is yet to be confirmed by the police.
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The police have been facing flak for not invoking Sections 365 (kidnapping) and 511 (attempt to commit offences punishable with imprisonment) of the IPC. But they have been maintaining that they are in the process of gathering and analysing the CCTV footage.
AIDWA demand
Members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association led a march against the police for allegedly diluting the charges against the two accused. AIDWA members marched from Yavnika Garden in Panchkula towards the residence of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar but were stopped by the police.
“Police should add non-bailable sections in the FIR against the two men. Besides, the accused’s father, Subhash Barala, should resign as president of the BJP’s Haryana unit. As his party is in power at both the Centre and Haryana, Mr. Barala could influence the case and investigations,” said Subhashini Ali, national vice-president of AIDWA.
Ms. Ali condemned the BJP for shaming the victim on the social media by using her old photos and questioning her lifestyle. Statements by BJP leaders on Beti bachao beti padhao was hollow.
Later, an AIDWA delegation met Mr. Khattar and gave a memorandum demanding inclusion of charges of kidnapping and outraging the modesty of a woman in the FIR.
All India Mahila Congress representatives met Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki and submitted a memorandum, to be sent to the Prime Minister, and demanded the immediate arrest of the accused.
“First the Chandigarh police dropped the serious charges of attempt to kidnap and outraging the modesty of women. Later, the CCTV on the route of the incident went non-functional, but yet the police are silent on the issues, which indicates that the BJP leaders are trying to influence the probe,” said Shobha Oza, president, AIMC.
Women members of the Indian National Lok Dal ( staged a protest and shouted slogans against the BJP and its Haryana president in Chandigarh. They demanded the arrest of the accused and resignation of Mr. Subhash Barala.
Mr. Barala said, “The law would take its own course and there was no attempt to influence the probe”