In the midst of controversy over his comments on rape, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday while replying to a notice by NCW stated that rape is a heinous crime and that rapists should be dealt with sternly. br br Clarifying his stand over comments, he further stated that death sentence should be reserved for the rarest of rare case. br br Yadav further said that he has highest regard for women and that number of initiatives have been taken by him for their upliftment.