'Missing' in Rajasthan, rape-accused minister takes charge as MoS

The accused minister is Nihal Chand Meghwal, who assumed his new responsibility as MoS in Panchayati Raj on Tuesday, has been reportedly declared 'missing' by Rajasthan Police.

According to NDTV report, union minister accused by a woman of raping her three years ago. The 43-year-old minister, who has been summoned along with 16 others in the rape case filed in June.

The reports said, the court has issued summons against him. But the police in his constituency Ganganagar said they could not find him to serve him summons as he has been staying in Delhi. 

The court then ordered Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Hari Prasad Sharma to make sure the minister received the court notice.

When asked about the summons, the minister said that he didn't receive any.

According to NDTV reports, lawyer representing the complainant says there is no reason for the police to not track him down during his many visits to Ganganagar.

Meghwal was reportedly present in his constituency on Oct 30, when he organised "Run for Unity" to mark Sardar Patel's birth anniversary. Days before that, he was there to adopt a village.

The case dates back to 2012. the state police investigated the woman's complaint and closed the case. She then moved court, which summoned the minister and others named by her.

According to summons, Mehwal has been asked by court to appear before it on Wednesday. That seems remote since the minister denied receiving any sort of summons.

In the meantime, opposition Congress has grabbed the opportunity and lashed out at BJP.

On Tuesday, senior party leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted, "Missing Minister of GOI ! Modi must respond. How can Rajasthan Govt claim that a Minister in GOI can't be traced ? Good Governance Mr Modi ?"

BJP on the other hand contended that Meghwal was framed by the previous Congress government of Rajasthan.