Not prudent to reopen Suryanelli rape case probe: Tewari

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Tewari said Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had answered demands from the Kerala opposition, led by former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan, "very succinctly" by refusing a probe.

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had said the central government had nothing more to say on the subject, apart from Chandy's statement.

"The issue has been conclusively adjudicated by the Supreme Court, and after the Supreme Court, is it prudent for us to reopen the investigation.. Where is it going to leave the ethos of law is something that needs to be introspected upon," said Tewari.

Chandy said Tuesday that wrong-doers should be brought to book, but those who are innocent should not be pilloried or crucified.

The Suryanelli case is named after the place where the victim hailed from, in the state's Idukki district. The crime occurred in January 1996 when the then 16-year-old was brutally raped for 45 days by 42 men.

The victim has written to Chandy seeking reopening of the case.