Excise commissioner Rishiraj Singh on Sunday said a case can be filed against a man who continually stares at a woman for more than 14 seconds.
He made the statement while addressing a gathering of students at a public event held in Kochi.
“A case can be charged against a man who annoyingly stares continually at a woman for 14 seconds. But not a single such case has been registered so far in Kerala,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.
But his ‘14 seconds comment’ does not seem to have gone down well with everyone. Kerala Sports Minister EP Jayarajan said the statement was in bad taste.
Jayarajan also said that he would bring the matter to the Excise Minister's notice.
The commissioner had also said that women should be proactive in reporting anti-social elements and learn martial arts to defend themselves. He added that police must be informed about incidents.
EP Jayarajan came down heavily on the statement saying that the commissioner was interfering in the affairs of a department he is not part of. He added that the commissioner was trying to quote a law that is not even in place.
Jayarajan is also reported to have refuted the commissioner’s statement that crimes against women is on the rise in Kerala.
Controversy isn't new to Rishiraj Singh, who has in the past served as the state's transport commissioner and garnered the reputation of being a tough cop. Soon after he took charge as the transport commissioner in 2014, he had imposed strict rules on traffic offenders.
Earlier in 2015, a huge controversy erupted after he refused to salute then Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at a public event. Taking note of his behaviour, the home ministry had also asked for an explanation for his conduct.
Just a few days back, Rishiraj Singh boycotted an event hosted by the excise department, taking objection that the officers who came to invite him were not in their uniforms, despite being on duty.