Dhaka, March 18 -- Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali has issued a formal apology following public backlash over his recent comments regarding the use of the term "rape."

In a statement on Monday, the Commissioner clarified his position, stating, "While discussing the issue of abuse of women and children, I referred to rape as a larger form of abuse. If anyone has been offended by my statement, I apologize."The apology follows widespread criticism from various quarters, including the Office of the Chief Adviser (CA), which strongly condemned his remarks.

In a statement on Sunday, the CA's office asserted, "Rape is rape, whether committed against an 8-year-old or an 80-year-old. Such a heinous crime must be...