Annie Raja wants Kurian to step down

In a letter to Gandhi, she said the victim had approached the magistrate court against the decision to exclude Kurien from the list of accused and that there were summons against him.

"When the entire country is debating on gender justice and protection and safety of women and the world is eagerly watching the actions taken by the government of India, it will be improper and unethical on the part of the UPA-2 govt, to allow P J Kurien to continue as the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha," she said in the letter.

"An iota of suspicion can hamper many of the good intentions of the government. It goes without saying that people who are holding offices of very high responsibility should be people of impeccable integrity," she said.

"We request you to kindly ask Shri. Kurien to step down from the post of the Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, till his innocence is proven beyond doubt," Raja said.