Bihar CM orders probe in all shelter homes after horrific rapes

Patna: After horrific tales of rape and abuse emerged from several Bihar’s shelter homes for girls and boys, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday ordered a thorough inspection of all state shelter homes.

Kumar also ordered adequate security in all shelter homes in Bihar, including those for women.

Nitish Kumar said the horrific rapes of young girls – 34 of the 44 in the Muzaffarpur shelter home alone – should be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said the High Court should monitor this investigation.

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Kumar also said allegations that Bihar minister Manju Verma’s husband frequently visited the Muzaffarpur home would be probed. “If someone related to the minister is involved, they won't be spared. But why is this issue being raised now? We had called her and she denied any involvement. How is it justified to level baseless allegations?” he asked.

The Bihar Chief Minister also said the social audit by the Tata Institution of Social Sciences (TISS), which exposed these rapes, was ordered by the state.

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“No one will be spared,” he said.

The Supreme Court last week took cognisance of the Muzaffarpur rapes after a Patna resident detailed the incident in a letter to the top court.

The apex court said it was “extremely disturbed” by the letter’s contents and asked, “Is this the way we are treating our girls?”

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The top court also issued notices to the state government and the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Also Read: Sedated, woke up naked with pain in private parts: Bihar shelter home rape survivors