Not just stalking accused, several VIP relatives on list of law officers appointed by Haryana govt

By | July 28, 2025
Haryana law officer appointments raise controversy

Chandigarh, July 28, 2025 — The Haryana government is facing criticism for appointing several politically connected individuals, including a man previously accused of stalking, as law officers. These appointments have raised serious concerns about transparency, merit, and ethical standards in public service.

Among the appointees is Vikas Barala, son of former BJP Haryana chief Subhash Barala. He had faced charges in the 2017 Varnika Kundu stalking case, which gained national attention. Although he was later acquitted, his inclusion in the list has reignited public debate.

VIP Ties Dominate the List

The law officer list, released by the Advocate General’s office, includes over 250 lawyers. Many of them are relatives of senior politicians, ministers, and bureaucrats. These include:

  • The son of a current BJP minister
  • The daughter of a retired senior IAS officer
  • A relative of a senior Congress leader

While these individuals may meet the eligibility criteria, critics argue that nepotism is overshadowing talent. The appointment of so many politically connected names has triggered widespread disapproval.

Opposition Leaders Cry Foul

Leaders from the Congress, INLD, and AAP have accused the government of rewarding loyalty over legal ability.

“This list reads like a political family album, not a list of legal professionals,” said Congress leader Kiran Choudhry. “How can people believe in a fair legal system when power determines who represents the state?”

Opposition parties are demanding a transparent, merit-based selection process.

Government Justifies the Move

Officials from the Advocate General’s office defended the appointments. They said the selection followed due procedure and all appointees met the required qualifications.

“We received more than 700 applications. Only those who fulfilled the eligibility conditions were chosen,” said a senior official.

However, the government has not disclosed how many selected individuals are related to public figures.

Legal Community Expresses Dismay

Senior members of the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council have voiced concerns. Many fear that such politically influenced selections will discourage talented but less connected lawyers.

“This sends the wrong message to young lawyers,” said senior advocate Rajeev Sharma. “It suggests that merit takes a back seat if you don’t have the right connections.”

Some bar members have even called for a review of the entire appointment list.

Public Reaction and Online Outrage

The controversy has sparked sharp reactions on social media. Hashtags like #HaryanaNepotism and #LawOfficerRow are trending. Many users are posting family links between appointees and political figures.

Women’s rights activists have also raised concerns. They argue that appointing someone previously accused of stalking could affect the credibility of government representation in gender-related cases.

What Lies Ahead?

So far, the government has shown no signs of rolling back the appointments. However, growing pressure from citizens, lawyers, and opposition leaders may force a re-evaluation.

Legal experts suggest that the matter could even reach court. Petitions challenging these appointments on constitutional grounds, such as equality and abuse of authority, are possible.

Conclusion

The Haryana law officer controversy underscores long-standing concerns about favoritism in public institutions. Although all appointees may have met formal requirements, the overwhelming political links have sparked a crisis of credibility. Whether the government acts or not, this case could become a catalyst for legal reform in how state counsels are selected.