Congress treads cautiously in Suryanelli gangrape case

New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday reacted cautiously on the demand for resignation of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien and a fresh probe into his alleged involvement in the Suryanelli gangrape case. "Party will consider what are the allegations and how serious are the charges and then will take a view (on the matter)," a senior party leader said requesting anonymity.

At the AICC briefing, party spokesman Rashid Alvi said the party does not make any comments on sub-judice matters. "Let us wait for the order. Government is bound to follow what is the order," he said when asked on Kurien's fate in wake of fresh revelations in the episode.

The AICC's reaction came on a day when Kerala's CPI(M)- led LDF stepped up protests within and outside the state assembly demanding a fresh probe in the matter. LDF members led by opposition leader VS Achuthanadan upped the ante against UDF government's refusal to order a fresh probe, while pro-LDF women outfits took out a march to the Kerala Assembly.

At the AICC briefing, party spokesman Rashid Alvi said the party does not make any comments on sub-judice matters.

The LDF has been pressing the demand for re-investigation in the light of recent turns in the 1996 Suryanelli case, including the Supreme Court invalidating the Kerala High Court's verdict acquitting 35 accused in the case. An unfazed Kurien has all along rejected the charge and the demand for his resignation, saying it was a matter which had already been cleared by the Supreme Court.

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