The Haryana Government on Wednesday moved IAS officer Virender Kundu from his post as additional chief secretary (ACS) of the tourism department to ACS for science and technology. Virender Kundu is the father of Varnika Kundu, a Chandigarh-based DJ who was allegedly stalked by BJP state chief Subhash Barala's son Vikas Barala earlier in August.
According to Hindustan Times, Kundu's transfer to a department relatively lower rung has fired speculation of the move being linked to his involvement against the Baralas in the case, which ultimately saw Vikas Barala get arrested on 9 August.
However, Varnika Kundu rubbished these speculations, stating that the transfer was merely a routine move. Speaking to The Quint she said,
My father is not the only officer who has been transferred. The transfer seems routine and nothing out of the ordinary.
On being asked whether the family saw it as a vindictive transfer due to the controversy around the case involving Vikas Barala, Varnika replied that it did not seem so.
Kundu's transfer incidentally comes a day after Vikas Barala's bail plea was rejected by the Chandigarh District Court for a second time.
Media reports, however, also named other Haryana government officers that were transferred to different departments at the same time as Virender Kundu.
(#TalkingStalking: Have you ever been stalked? Share your experience with The Quint and inspire others to shatter the silence surrounding stalking. Send your stories to editor@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)