CBI chief responds to NCW notice

CBI Director Ranjit Sinha on Thursday sent his reply to National Commission Women expressing regret over his "inadvertent" remark giving analogy of rape while explaining legalising betting.

In the reply, sent this evening, the Director is understood to have expressed his regret on the remark and conveyed his deep sense of regard and respect for women and commitment to gender issues.

He is believed to have told the Commission that on being asked by the moderator to give his views, he was explaining the if laws cannot be enforced that does not mean laws should not be made, the sources said.

The CBI director, who was on the panel of a session on "Ethics and integrity in sports--need for a law and role of CBI", had said on Tuesday evening that 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.

The National Commission of Women issued a notice to Sinha and gave a 24-hour deadline to respond to it.

Later, in a statement, Sinha had clarified that he gave his 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.”

"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," he said.