Decision on Kurien before budget session, says PC Chacko

NEW DELHI: Congress will take a decision on the demand for removal of PJ Kurien as Rajya Sabha deputy chairman for his alleged role in 1996 Suryanelli gang-rape case before the budget session, which commences on February 21.

Congress spokesman PC chacko, who is a well-known detractor of Kurien, told reporters in Thrissur, "We will be taking decision on all issues, including this, before Parliament session begins. The high command will not be closing its eyes to any issue coming before the party."

Responding to a question on the issue, Chacko said, "We are alert to every issue agitating the society and our spokesman has already said the high command will discuss and take an appropriate decision on this matter."

Kurien has been in the eye of a political storm since the 1996 gang-rape case came back into focus. The victim had filed a private complaint against Kurien, accusing him of assaulting her. But he was later acquitted by courts. His name has figured again as the victim had written to her lawyer to explore the possibility of filing a review petition seeking a fresh probe against Kurien.