Kerala

Suryanelli gangrape: Ex-investigating officer backs Kurien

Former Investigating Officer in the Suriyanelli gangrape case K Ittoop on Wednesday backed Rajya Sabha Deputy chairman PJ Kurien, saying he was not involved in the infamous case that continues to haunt the Congress politician since the past 17 years. Ittoop, who headed the investigation team in the case before Sibi Mathews took over, told reporters here that Kurien was not involved in the case. ...  

Suryanelli: Kurien's wife rubbishes rape charge against him

Amid growing clamour for resignation of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien in the Suryanelli gangrape case, his wife has rubbished the allegations against him and said those hurling "malicious charges" never bothered to appreciate sentiments of her family. ...  

Suryanelli: Special team set up to trace absconding convict

Kerala Police has set up a special team to trace and arrest the absconding convict in the Suryanelli gangrape case, who appeared on a Malayalam TV channel alleging that Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien was involved in the case, as claimed by the victim. The four-member team has left for Karnataka from where Dharmarajan purportedly gave the interview to the channel on Monday and made the startling claim. ...  

Suryanelli: Petition filed against Justice Basant

A petition seeking sanction to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against former judge of Kerala High Court R Basant, whose controversial remarks on Suryanelli rape case victim has sparked off protests, was filed before the state Advocate General. ...  

Suryanelli: Will go by court verdict on Kurien, says Cong

A day after Congress leader from Kerala, PC Chacko, said that the party would formulate its stand on the demand for removal of PJ Kurien as the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman before the Budget Session of Parliament commences, the party on Monday distanced itself from the statement saying the decision would be taken by court hearing the Suryanelli gangrape case. Since Kurien's name figured in the case, demand for his...  

Suryanelli: LDF protests ex-judge's comments

Controversial comments by former Kerala High Court judge R Basant about Suryanelli gangrape case on Monday echoed in the state Assembly with the government rejecting LDF demand for registering a criminal case against him following which the Opposition staged a walk out. ...  

Suryanelli gangrape: 'PJ Kurien was never made a part of test parade'

In what may spell serious trouble for Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, one of the convicts in the Suryanelli gangrape case has claimed that he was actually involved in the case. The third convict in the case SS Dharmarajan made the revelation while speaking to a local television channel from an undisclosed location. ...  

Let the law take its course: Antony on Suryanelli gangrape

Declining to be carried away by the clamour for removal of PJ Kurien as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman facing charges over the Suryanelli gang rape case, Defence Minister and senior Congress leader AK Antony on Sunday said "let law take its own course". ...  

Kerala: Teen girl found abandoned after being 'tortured'

A 15-year-old girl from Tamil Nadu was found abandoned in an exhausted condition after being allegedly raped by her lover and at least two others at nearby Kottarakkara on Sunday, police said. ...  

Groupism in party should not cross Lakshman rekha: Antony

Defence Minister and senior Congress leader AK Antony on Sunday emphasised the need to control groupism in the state unit and work unitedly for the party's success in the coming Parliament election in 2014. ...  

Suryanelli gangrape: Judge's controversial remarks spark protests

The High Court Judge who acquitted the 35 accused in the Suryanelli gangrape case, was caught on camera making a controversial statement, saying the survivor was used for child prostitution and not raped. The sting operation has led to massive protests in Kerala. The survivor is now planning to take the judge to court. ...  

Suryanelli: Ex-judge says girl was used for prostitution

Stoking controversy, a former Kerala High Court judge on Saturday defended his judgement acquitting 35 accused in the Suryanelli gangrape case, in which Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien was allegedly involved, saying the victim was used for child prostitution and not raped. "There was ample evidence to show the girl was used for child prostitution, which is not rape," Justice R Basant, part of a two-judge bench that acquitted...  

10-ft-long cobra caught from Kerala Assembly complex

A 10-feet-long cobra has been caught from the library of the Kerala Assembly complex here by a snake-catcher after the staff alerted him about the presence of the deadly reptile in the place frequented by lawmakers. ...  

Suryanelli rape case: Brinda Karat submits memo to V-P against Kurien

The pressure is mounting on Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien. CPM MP Brinda Karat has submitted a memorandum against him to Vice President Hamid Ansari. Kurien, however, has ruled out resigning. In an interview to CNN-IBN, the Congress MP remained defiant despite demands of a fresh probe against him in the 17-year-old Suryanelli gangrape case. ...  

Suryanelli gangrape: Kurien remains defiant, says won't resign

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman and Congress MP PJ Kurien remained defiant amid fresh calls to re-investigate him in the Suryanelli gangrape case. Kurien has alleged that the girl was being used by political opponents to settle scores. ...

PJ Kurien is a good man, says Sharad Yadav

JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said that Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman and Congress MP PJ Kurien was a good man and they won't raise the issue of Suryanelli gangrape case in Parliament. There are allegations against Kurien that he was involved in the gangrape case. ...

Opponents using Suryanelli rape survivor: Kurien

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson and Congress MP PJ Kurien on Friday ruled out his resignation following allegations of his involvement in the 1996 Suryanelli gangrape case. Speaking to CNN-IBN the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson said, "There is no question of stepping down from my position." ...  

Suryanelli: Sonia unlikely to meet Kurien, Cong to wait and watch

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is unlikely to meet Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien as the demand for his resignation grows following allegations of his involvement in the 1996 Suryanelli gangrape case. However, sources said that Congress leadership has questioned the timing of the fresh charges against Kurien. ...  

Suryanelli rape: Cong under pressure to act against Kurien

The Congress is under immense pressure to act against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien as the demand for his resignation has grown with him being implicated in the 1996 Suryanelli gangrape case. Adding to the Congress's woes, the key witness KS Rajan, whose testimony was key to Kurien's acquittal, has retracted his statement. ...