Kurien an enemy to anti-rape law: Suryanelli victim's mom

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 7: The mother of the Suryanelli gang-rape victim feels that P J Kurien, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha is an enemy to Bill on sexual violence against women, which is about to be considered by the House.

Kurien is alleged to be involved in the infamous Suryaneelli gang-rape episode, which has become an embarrassment for Congress. The episode happened almost 17 years ago, and the victim is still waiting for justice.

An emotional mother on Thursday wrote an equally emotional letter to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi asking her to remove Kurien from the post.

"I wonder how can Kurien chair the discussion when the prestigious Ordinance aiming the emancipation of womanhood in India, promulgated by the Union of India with regard to the prevention of the sexual atrocities against women in the Upper House. Such a situation will amount to tarnish the image of your great party...," she wrote.

In her letter, the 70-year-old mother of the victim expressed her shock "over the refusal of the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala to order further probe into Kurien's alleged involvement in the case."

Recalling the harrowing experience through which the girl and her family has been through since 1996, the woman said, "We bonafidely believe that Kurien has exerted undue influence over the investigating officials to escape the law and he had succeeded... Though we have petitioned the Chief Minister of Kerala and the Home minister..., their attitude is not positive. We doubt that they are forced to take such a stand due to political compulsions."

CPI(M)-led LDF opposition, meanwhile, forced the adjournment of the Kerala Assembly over alleged police excesses against women MLAs demanding re-investigation of charges against Kurien in the Suryanelli case.

"We have learnt from newspapers that the high command of Congress has decided to support Kurien in this matter. As far as we are concerned, it is heart-breaking," she added. Kurien has all along rejected the charge and also the opposition demand for his resignation, saying it was a matter which had already been cleared by the Supreme Court.

OneIndia News