West Delhi Lok Sabha member Mahabal Mishra and his family, who were summoned in a 2006 rape case, today failed to make an appearance in a city court.The Congress leader's lawyers told the court he was away for the Kumbh and sought an exemption. The court directed Mr Mishra and the others to appear before it on February 18.A 16-year-old girl raped in 2006 had alleged that she was abducted and forcibly kept at Mr Mishra's office and his brother's home. She said his family tried to force her to marry the rape suspect, Pradeep Sehrawat.

A special fast-track court for sexual offences against women had issued a notice to Mr Mishra, wife Urmila, daughter Kiran and son Hira to make an appearance on February 8.The trial court had initially said there was not enough evidence to summon the politician and his family. The Delhi High Court overruled the decision, saying the girl's statement was prima facie enough.