Goa Chief Minister Says Rape Case Remarks "Taken Out Of Context" Amid Row

In comments made in the Goa Assembly on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant blamed the parents of the two girls who were raped for allowing their children to step out late at night

Two days after his comment on the gangrape of two minor girls triggered outrage, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said his words were taken "out of context" and described himself "deeply pained and disturbed" by the incident. "My statement about the unfortunate incident was taken out of context. Both as head of a responsible government and as a father of a 14-year-old daughter, I was deeply pained and disturbed. Pain of this incident is inexplicable," Mr Sawant was quoted by news agency ANI. "At no point, I've tried to deny the right to security provided by our law. Goa Police has been truly professional force, especially when it comes to security of women and children. They have already acted swiftly and arrested the accused," he added. "Let me assure you that I shall ensure that the culprits get the most stringent punishment under the law. The safety of our citizens is always my government's top priority."