Chandigarh, June 24 -- Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu is scheduled to appear before the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission on Wednesday in connection with a case involving alleged casteist remarks made during an exchange with police personnel in Sangrur district last month. Bittu has skipped two earlier summonses. The commission had first summoned him on June 4 and again on June 15, warning that coercive action could be recommended if he failed to appear on the next date of hearing. The matter relates to an incident on May 26 during the civic elections in Dhuri. Bittu was involved in a brief but heated verbal altercation with police personnel, during which he allegedly made remarks that prompted the commission to take suo motu cognisance of the matter. Following the incident, the commission issued a notice seeking an explanation from the Union minister and directed him to appear before the panel. At the previous hearing on June 15, Bittu's counsels Ramandeep Singh and AS Barnala appeared before the commission and informed it that the minister was unable to attend because of official engagements in New Delhi. They sought another opportunity for him to present his case. Accepting the request, the commission fixed June 24 as the next date of hearing. The panel also instructed the Sangrur senior superintendent of police (SSP) that, if the minister failed to appear again, appropriate legal action should be initiated. It further sought a compliance report through the SP (headquarters), Sangrur, on June 25....