Mandsaur Joint Collector skips court hearing in dowry case:Wife dismisses maintenance claims; Family Court summons both on new date

A dowry harassment case against Mandsaur Joint Collector Rahul Chauhan has led to fresh legal trouble. His wife, Nirmala, appeared before the Family Court in Indore as directed by the High Court, but Chauhan did not attend. The court has now fixed a new date and ordered both to be present in person. Nirmala has denied all allegations made by her husband and accused him of using his position to harass her. Court hearing and absence of husband A hearing was held in the Family Court on Monday, following the High Court’s order.Nirmala was present, but Rahul Chauhan did not appear.Because of this, the court set the next date for 16 December.The court also repeated the earlier direction that both must appear personally. Wife rejects husband’s claims Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Nirmala denied the claim that her husband gives her Rs 15,000 per month for maintenance.She said this was “completely false”.She asked why she would come to the Family Court if she was already receiving maintenance.She said the maintenance case has been restored on the High Court’s orders, and the case will now continue in the Family Court.According to her, her husband’s absence in court shows he is not telling the truth. ‘I have not divorced him’ Nirmala said she has not divorced her husband.She denied asking him for Rs 1 crore.Instead, she alleged that she was harassed for dowry.A case has already been registered against him in Indore.She said all her statements about his harassment were true.Nirmala also accused Chauhan of misusing his position to intimidate and torture her. Advocate’s statement Nirmala’s lawyer, Praveen Kachole, said that Rahul Chauhan did not appear before the court on Monday.He also said the case file was not available in the courtroom as it had been kept in the record room.The court has summoned the file.The hearing will now continue from 8 December.As per the High Court’s order, both parties must appear in person. Demand for suspension and inquiry Nirmala has demanded that her husband be suspended based on the registered FIR.She said this is necessary so that he cannot influence the investigation.She also asked for a departmental inquiry against him for serious misconduct.Her allegations include misuse of government property and preparing for a second marriage without obtaining a divorce.She said the matter is no longer just a family dispute, but a legal fight against the misuse of power by an administrative officer. Pending cases According to Advocate Kachole, two cases involving the couple are pending: In the dowry case, the police have not yet filed the charge sheet. Two older cases under Section 9 and Section 13 have been dismissed.He added that there is no active divorce case at present.He said if Rahul Chauhan claims he is providing maintenance, then “he is lying”.