Nihal Chand Meghwal before taking charge as MoS, Panchayati Raj, in New Delhi on Tuesday. ( Source: Express photo by Prem Nath Pandey) Nihal Chand Meghwal before taking charge as MoS, Panchayati Raj, in New Delhi on Tuesday. ( Source: Express photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

Months after the Ganganagar Police told a lower court in Jaipur that they could not find Union Minister Nihal Chand Meghwal to serve him summons in connection with his alleged involvement in a rape case, the summons are yet to reach Meghwal. The court hearing is slated for Wednesday morning.

Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Hari Prasad Sharma had told the court in August that since Meghwal had become a Union Minister, he could not be found at his Raisinghnagar residence and they did not know where he lived in New Delhi. The lower court had then directed Sharma to ensure that the summons are delivered before the next hearing slated for November 12.

Over last three months, the SP has participated in functions with Meghwal as well as posed for photo-ops but has not been able to deliver the summons. Meghwal has also frequented his constituency on several occasions and was reportedly in Ganganagar last weekend for a function.

On Tuesday, SP Sharma told The Indian Express, “It is the Station House Officer’s job to deliver the summons. He should know about it. I have no idea.”

Raisinghnagar SHO Narayan Daan said, “I have no memory of any such summons. Hundreds of them come and have to be delivered. I do not know anything about it…We treat everyone equally. It does not matter whether it is for a commoner or a minister.”

Meghwal’s office confirmed that he is yet to receive summons and hence need not appear in court.

Chandu Ram Yadav, the victim’s lawyer said, “The police and the minister are making a mockery of law. They are looking for ways to avoid appearing before the court. Initially the minister went missing, now the summons are missing. We will still wait for a reply from the Ganganagar police tomorrow.”

Meghwal, along with 16 others, is accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old married woman. After his name came up in a sexual assault case in June this year, it was speculated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would drop him from his team but no action has been initiated so far.

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.