Srinagar, Sep 30 (IANS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday tendered an unqualified apology in the state assembly for the disclosure of names and addresses of rape victims in the valley.

"Since I am the chief minister and the home minister of the state, I have a deep sense of shame and a deep sense of apology over the disclosures of the names of rape victims.

"I tender an unqualified apology to the rape victims and their families and I will ensure such a thing does not happen again," Abdullah told the assembly.

He assured the house that he would get back to the members after making a thorough enquiry as to why the list was released.

The chief minister was responding to a point of order raised by Mehbooba Mufti of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) who wanted to know why names and addresses were revealed despite explicit directions from the Supreme Court that the identity of rape victims cannot be disclosed.

The state government had furnished a list of rape victims with their names, parents and addresses since 2005 in a written reply to the question of a legislator.