NCW to write to PM seeking action against Nihalchand

NCW chief said even when a minister commits a heinous crime like rape, the punishment meted out to him should be the same

The National Commission for Women (NCW) today said it will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking action against Union minister Nihalchand after his name came up in an alleged case of rape.

"This is really unacceptable. Even when a minister commits a heinous crime like rape, the punishment meted out to him should be the same as that for a commoner.

"I will write to the prime minister and seek action against the minister... The minister must be immediately dismissed from government," said NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma.

Nihalchand's name came up along with 16 others in an FIR lodged by a 24-year-old married woman from Jaipur. In the FIR filed in 2011, she alleged that the accused had sexually exploited her.

Nihalchand and the other accused have been asked by a Jaipur court to appear before it in connection with the case. The notices were issued by the court on a review petition filed by the complainant.

Nihalchand is the the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertiliser and the only MP from Rajasthan in Modi's Cabinet.

Congress has already questioned Modi's silence over the issue while demanding Nihalchand's resignation. Congress leader Shobha Oza had said that despite Modi giving speeches on the safety of women, Nihalchand is yet to be sacked.