Overview

• On July 18, Haryana’s Justice Department included Vikas Barala among 97 new law officers despite his ongoing 2017 stalking and attempted abduction trial
• The appointment prompted an open letter from 45 retired IAS officers and criticism from complainant Varnika Kundu, who warned it undermined women’s safety efforts
• Ten days later, on July 28, the home department formally removed Barala’s name from the law officers list for failing to assume duty
• Advocate General Pravindra Singh Chauhan attributed the revocation to Barala missing the weeklong joining window and name confusion with another appointee, and his father reportedly sought his withdrawal
• The Chandigarh court continues to hear the case against Barala, with the next session on August 2 slated for defence evidence in the protracted trial