How many attackers should there be for a rape to be called a gang-rape? This is the philosophical question that is on Karnataka Home Minister K J George’s mind these days.

Reporters who sought a response from George on Wednesday in the case of the BPO employee who was allegedly sexually assaulted by two men in a tempo traveller, were surprised at George’s remarks.

Speaking to theTimes Now and Suvarna News channels, George said:

How is it a gangrape if two people rape? Shouldn’t there be at least three or four people for it to be called gangrape?

— K J George, Karnataka Home Minister

The police have so far arrested two people – the driver and cleaner of the tempo traveller vehicle for allegedly sexually assaulting the 22-year-old woman. Police say the two men are from Kadur in Chikmgalur district and have been in Bengaluru for the last three years.