CPI(M) MP alleges police assault during anti-Kurien protest

NEW DELHI: CPI(M) MP M B Rajesh today alleged that he was assaulted by policemen during a protest here while demanding removal of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien for his alleged involvement in the Suryanelli rape case.

Rajesh and three others, including another CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP T N Seema, filed the complaint in Parliament Street Police station.

Rajesh and his colleagues were marching towards Parliament House as part of the protest organised by DYFI, SFI and AIDWA when they were stopped near Rail Bhavan. The protesters tried to move ahead but were picked up by police.

"We were taken into a police vehicle. I was pushed down and kicked inside the van. I was saved by protesters," Rajesh told PTI.

He said four of them, including Seema, SFI National President V Sivadasan and injured JNU student Akhila, filed the complaint. Police assured them that they will look into the incident.

Asked whether he will file a complaint to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, the CPI(M) MP said he will consult party leadership before writing to her.

Rejecting allegations against him, Kurien had yesterday wrote to MPs saying three police inquiries and two judicial processes have cleared him in the 17-year-old Suryanelli rape case.