Suryanelli Gang Rape

India's decision to send a politician dogged by rape allegations involving a schoolgirl to the pope's inauguration was attacked on Monday by the victim's family and opposition figures.

The father of a woman from Kerala who was abducted and raped by 42 men almost two decades ago has alleged that a church in the state has asked his family to stay away till "matters settle down." The church has however denied the allegations and dubbed them "totally baseless."

India's decision to send a politician dogged by rape allegations involving a schoolgirl to the pope's inauguration was attacked on Monday by the victim's family and opposition figures.

The father of a woman from Kerala who was abducted and raped by 42 men almost two decades ago has alleged that a church in the state has asked his family to stay away till "matters settle down." The church has however denied the allegations and dubbed them "totally baseless."