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The IAS Officer Whose Daughter Was Stalked By Haryana BJP Chief’s Son Has Been Transferred To A Low-Key Department

'Punishment' for taking a stand?
File photo of IAS officer VS Kundu and daughter Varnika.
PTI
File photo of IAS officer VS Kundu and daughter Varnika.

Over a month after state BJP President Subhash Barala's son Vikas was arrested for stalking Varnika Kundu, the daughter of IAS officer VS Kundu, the Haryana government transferred the senior bureaucrat.

Kundu, who was the Additional Chief Secretary (tourism) has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary (science and technology), a relatively low-key department, reports Hindustan Times.

"It's up to the government where it deputes me keeping in view my capabilities. I don't have any problem in it. I never tried to stop my transfer order," Kundu told Indian Express.

However, what can't be ignored is the fact that the transfer order came just a few hours after a Chandigarh court dismissed bail application of Vikash Barala.

The IE report said that the transfer order does not mention the government's reason to move Kundu to a new post.

Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala questioned the Haryana government's decision to transfer Kundu. "Punished for standing up to BJP in quest for justice for his daughter, Varnika Kundu?" he asked.

V.S.Kundu gets sidelined.

Punished for standing upto BJP in quest for justice for his daughter, Varnika Kundu? pic.twitter.com/NDiG6PyHO8

— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) September 12, 2017

Vikas Barala, along with his friend, co-accused Ashish Kumar, were arrested on August 9 for stalking and trying to abduct Varnika Kunda on the night of August 4.

The police claimed there is enough evidence in the form of CCTV footage and eyewitness testimoniesto prove the charges against the duo. However, the Kundu family claimed that the Balaras are trying to make the matter go away quietly. Varnika's father, VS Kundu, had said that ever since they filed the police complaint, he has received several calls from Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala.

In fact, VS Kundu said he is well aware of the repercussions his family might have to face for taking on one of the top leaders' son. "Till the time the BJP is in power, they will not forget. This action by me will be taken as an act against the party... I have told my daughters to be careful when they go out... Someone could even slip a drug packet into their purse just to trap them," he said.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.