Kurien seeks appointment with Sonia as demand for his removal over Suryanelli rape case grows

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien has sought time to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi. The attempt to meet Sonia Gandhi comes hours after the Suryanelli rape victim's mother wrote to Sonia asking her to intervene in the interest of justice for her daughter.

The gangrape victim has named PJ Kurien as one of the men who assaulted her in 1996. Kurien has said he is a victim of political conspiracy.

The Left led opposition in Kerala has begun a campaign for a reinvestigation into Kurien's role following the Supreme Court quashing the High Court's acquittal of all the accused. Kurien, however, has been maintaining that he has never been indicted by any court.

This comes hours after the Suryanelli rape victim\'s mother wrote to Sonia asking her to intervene.

Earlier on Thursday, the Left Front also alleged that its women MLAs were beaten up by the police when they protested against Kurien.

Reacting to the developments, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and state Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said government has an open mind on the issue and would take a decision on Opposition's demand after getting legal opinion. "Government has sought legal opinion on whether it can reopen a case discharged by the Supreme Court. Government is yet to get legal advice on it," Radhakrishnan said.

The deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, PJ Kurien, was accused and later acquitted by courts for his alleged role in the Suryanelli gangrape of 1996.

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