(Reopens DEL 71)

In Delhi, Congress spokesman Rashid Alvi said if such a letter has been written to Gandhi, she would take appropriate action after looking into the matter. "Supreme Court has given him a clean chit... Opposition is free to raise the issue," he said when asked about demands from the Left parties for the resignation of Kurien and a fresh probe in the matter. A senior Congress leader, who declined to be identified, conceded that the matter is becoming ticklish for the party at a time when women issues have come to the fore and the budget session of Parliament not far away. He suggested that matters could become hot for Kurien if the situation persisted.