Madhabi Puri-Buch, the Sebi chairperson, who has resolutely ignored the nudges and winks, the jibes and mumbled questions about her probity after insinuation by US short seller Hindenburg Research last month, took the tongue in cheek route on Monday to speak publicly about one of the accusations – real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Addressing a CII event here, Buch said she will not speak on the investment vehicle since there will be accusations of conflict of interest.

``If I utter the word REITs, I am accused of conflict of interest," Buch said alluding to her critics, while she listed out the measures the market regulator will take to ease compliance and make investments more accessible to retail investors.