Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Taneti Vanitha's comments on a recent gang rape incident at Repalle Railway Station have sparked a row. She stated that the accused had not come there with the intention to rape the woman. "They were drunk and they attacked the man to rob him. When she tried to save her husband, they pushed and tied her and in the process, something happened," she said while talking to reporters.

Vanitha also remarked that certain incidents happen unwittingly due to psychological reasons or poverty. Her comments came after a woman was gang raped at Repalle Railway Station in Bapatla district on the night of April 30. Three persons, including a juvenile, attacked the man at the railway station and when her wife tried to save him, they pulled her aside and raped her. Police have arrested the accused.