Patna, August 3: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday asserted that no leniency would be shown to the culprits of Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case. The Chief Minister said, “I would like to assure everyone that no leniency will be show towards anyone, all those found guilty will be severely punished.” Nitish Kumar further said that he is ashamed of what happened in Muzaffarpur and he added that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating into the matter. He also urged the High Court to monitor the case. “Mein aisi ghatana ghat gayi ki hum sharamsaar ho gaye. CBI jaanch kar rahi hai, high court iski monitoring kare,” the Chief Minister said.
It must be noted that over 30 girls were allegedly raped at the centre run by one Brajesh Thakur, the chief of the state-funded NGO. The alleged sexual exploitation of the girls was first highlighted in an audit report submitted by the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), Mumbai, to the state’s social welfare department in April. An FIR was lodged against 11 people, including Thakur on May 31. The probe has now been taken over by the CBI.
In all, sexual abuse of 34 inmates out of 42 was confirmed in their medical examination, while two others who were unwell were yet to undergo medical tests. The TISS audit report stated that many girls at the shelter home had complained of sexual abuse. A special investigation team was formed to probe the complaints. The NGO running the shelter home in Muzaffarpur was blacklisted and the girls were shifted to shelter homes in Patna and Madhubani. Women staff members of the shelter home and Thakur were among those who were arrested by the local police in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the matter and said that said that even morphed picture of the Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case victims should be restrained from being published. It also issued a notice to the state government and Centre over the issue seeking a detailed reply in connection with the matter. The medical examinations of 29 of the 42 shelter home inmates confirmed that they were sexually exploited. Further, a state-wide bandh has been called by Left parties in Bihar on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, against Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case. The parties have seen a support from Rashtriya Janata Party (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav.
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