Suryanelli rape victim’s mother writes to Sonia

The mother of the Suryanelli gangrape victim on Thursday wrote a letter to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. In the letter, she wondered how can P J Kurien continue as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha when the Bill on sexual violence against women is about to be considered by the House.

She has sought Sonia's intervention to probe the allegation that her daughter was raped by Kurien. The letter was faxed to Sonia with copies marked to her political secretary Ahmed Patel and AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

"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.

The 70-year-old mother, in the letter, expressed anguish over the refusal of the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala to order further probe into Kurien's alleged involvement in the case. "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,'' she wrote.

Striking a chord with Sonia Gandhi, she hoped that Sonia, being a mother herself, would understand the plight of the victim's family.

The mother said that her daughter still stood by her word against Kurien.

Meanwhile, former RSP leader in Idukki, C K Achankunju, said a staff at the guest house had told him and other party workers that Kurien was coming to the guest house on February 19, 1996, the day alleged rape took place.

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