Under fire, CBI chief sorry for rape analogy

NEW DELHI: CBI director Ranjit Sinha faced a barrage of criticism on Wednesday for his illconceived rape analogy with the National Commission for Women ( NCW) giving him 24 hours to explain his “insensitive, controversial and objectionable” remarks. NCW member Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar said the commission would not be satisfied with “just a mere apology” and could go so far as to recom- mend the CBI director’s sacking.

“I regret any hurt caused as the same was inadvertent and unintended… I reiterate my deep sense of regard and respect for women and commitment to gender issues,” Sinha said on Wednesday, reading from a prepared text on the sidelines of a three-day international conference hosted by the CBI.

While supporting legalising betting in sports during a panel discussion at the conference on Tuesday, Sinha said: “…it is like if you can’t prevent rape enjoy it”.

CBI media managers had then tried to blackout – or at least downplay – Sinha’s comments in the media and at one point even contested that he had made the analogy.

Unlike other media houses, HT headlined Sinha’s remarks. The reaction against his remarks flew furiously through the night on social media. By morning, the chorus for action against Sinha grew louder.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chair man of Bangalore-head quartered biotechnology major Biocon, was one of those outraged by his comments. She said Sinha had “rendered himself unfit to hold this office”.

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