Suryanelli rape case: Clamour for fresh probe against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien grows in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Clamour for a fresh probe against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien in the Suryanelli gangrape case has been growing in Kerala as the Opposition - the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) - and activists continue its protest demanding his resignation.

Women activists protested outside the state assembly today asking for reinvestigation against Mr Kurein and justice for victim. Cops had to use force to disperse the protesters.

Yesterday, the opposition forced the assembly to adjourn after the government rejected its demand to re-investigate the 17-year-old case to determine whether Mr Kurien is linked to one of the state's most depraved cases of rape where a teenager was allegedly raped by 42 men in 40 days in 1996.

Placard-waving LDF members, led by slogan shouting women colleagues, rushed to the well of the state assembly, denouncing the government's stand that a fresh probe was not legally possible as the charge had already been inquired into and found baseless with the Supreme Court allowing Mr Kurien's discharge petition in 2007.

Last week the Supreme Court week said that that the Kerala High Court, which had acquitted 34 men of raping the woman, must re-consider the evidence and deliver a verdict within six months.

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In a hard-hitting speech, Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan said government's position went sharply against the spirit of the ordinance on sex crimes against women signed by President Pranab Mukherjee, which had a provision that the victim's deposition in rape cases should be given due prominence.

However, the Kerala government said Mr Kurien will not be probed. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy asked the media "not to crucify an innocent man." The government claimed that in 1997, an inquiry by a police team under the Left government had also cleared Mr Kurien.

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After acquittal from the court, Mr Kurien's name figured again in the case after the victim wrote to her lawyer in Delhi on January 29 to explore the possibility of filing a review petition, seeking a fresh probe against him. She had also faxed a letter to chief minister Oommen Chandy on February 2, seeking a fresh probe.

"Yes, Mr Kurien exploited me. Despite the fact that I brought the matter to the notice of the police probe team, Mr Kurien was not included in the list of accused. I don't want to see him again. I wish to see him in court," the woman said.

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Unfazed by the victim of the Suryanelli gangrape case sticking to her allegations against him, Mr Kurien rejected the demand for his resignation.

"I have already offered myself for judicial scrutiny in 1990s. Why should I do so again? Then the High Court and Supreme Court had exonerated me. A fresh investigation will be contempt of court," Mr Kurien told NDTV.

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He claims it's a "political conspiracy" by CPM and the motive behind raking up the issue now was Lok Sabha elections in 2014, he charged. "CPM wants to use the issue during the next polls", Mr Kurien said.

(With inputs from Agencies)