After his controversial rape analogy invited widespread condemnation, CBI Director Ranjit Sinha on Wednesday apologised saying he has a deep sense of regard and respect for women and commitment to gender issues.
The National Commission for Women (NCW), however, sought an explanation from Sinha within 24 hours for his questionable comment and said it may recommend his removal to the Government after receiving a reply on his “insensitive and irresponsible” statement.
“I regret any hurt caused as the same was inadvertent and unintended,” Sinha said in a statement following outrage over the remark "if you can't prevent rape, you enjoy it."
Reading out the statement from a prepared text, Sinha said he had made the comment in the context of legalising betting in sports. "I gave my opinion that betting should be legalised and that if the laws cannot be enforced that does not mean that laws should not be made. This is as erroneous as saying that if rape is inevitable one should lie back and enjoy it."
Sinha, who was participating in a panel discussion on "Ethics and integrity in sports--need for a law and role of CBI" here on Tuesday, had said there was no harm in legalising betting in the country.
"If you cannot enforce the ban on betting, it is like saying if you can't prevent rape, you enjoy it", he had said. Disapproving Sinha's statement, the NCW issued a show cause notice seeking an explanation from him for his statement within 24 hours.
"He has made a controversial statement. We will not only condemn it, but also protest against it. He holds such a high position and as the protector of law, how can he make such an insensitive and irresponsible statement," NCW member Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar said.
"It shows his sick mindset and we feel that if necessary we may recommend the government to seek his resignation after the explanation. We will take proper action and will definitely see that such kind of thing is not tolerated," Prabhavalkar added.