Union minister Babul Supriyo on Tuesday raked up a controversy by questioning why the son of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Haryana unit chief was charged with abduction in the Chandigarh stalking case. “A guy chases a girl – he’s drunk! Deplorable. But why charge him with ‘abduction’ etc without investigation?” he said on Twitter.

Subhash Barala’s son Vikas Barala and another accused, Ashish Kumar, were arrested on Saturday and later released on bail for allegedly stalking and trying to abduct Varnika Kundu, an IAS officer’s daughter.

Supriyo further questioned why the Haryana BJP president was being dragged into the case. “Just because a neta’s son’s mischief makes better headlines?” he said. “Desh ki beti ko insaaf chahiye [The country’s daughter wants justice]?”

On Friday night, the two accused had allegedly chased her in an SUV while she was driving to Panchkula from Chandigarh. Both were found to be drunk at the time of the incident.

Although Kundu has been facing widespread victim-shaming, a few have come to her defence.

“People should change their mentality instead of blaming the girl,” BJP’s Delhi unit spokesperson Tajinder Bagga had said.

Party MP Kirron Kher had also voiced her support for Kundu. “As a mother, I can understand the sentiments of the victim’s family at this time,” the actor-politician had said. “Whatever is legal and correct in this case, will be done.”