Suryanelli gangrape case: P J Kurien writes to Sonia Gandhi, Hamid Ansari

Facing the heat after fresh twists in the Suryanelli gangrape case, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien has written to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Chairman of the Upper House Hamid Ansari explaining his position.

Sources said he has explained his position to the party President and Ansari amid the Opposition demand for his resignation.

He is understood to have explained in the letter the judgements of various courts, which "exonerated" him in the case.

When contacted, Kurien said he cannot speak to the media on any communication between him and the Congress President.

The lone convict in the Suryanelli gangrape case had yesterday alleged that Kurien was involved in it as claimed by the victim.

Dharmarajan, the convict who is absconding after obtaining bail, had told a television channel that the principal investigator in the case had allegedly pressurized him not to mention Kurien's alleged involvement in the case.

Kurien, however, rubbished Dharmarajan's claim holding the statement of an accused after conviction has no legal validity.

Reacting to the charge, he said, "This is a settled position of the Supreme Court (that the statement of an accused after conviction has no legal validity).

"Secondly, every accused gets a chance to make a statement before the judge. He did not say this at that time. You (mediapersons) find out why he is making this claim now."

Kurien's colleague in Kerala and Congress spokesperson PC Chacko had on Sunday said the party will take a decision on the demand for Kurien's removal as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha before the Budget Session of Parliament.

However, Congress had distanced itself from Chacko's remarks, "whatever Chacko has said is his personal opinion," party spokesperson Sandip Dikshit had said.

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