Bihar: 16 girls raped in shelter-home, police dig for buried-body
What's the story
The Bihar police started excavation in a shelter home of Muzaffarpur after it was alleged that a minor was killed and buried there. The cops dug the home on court's order. It is alleged the deceased had an altercation with staff, was killed and buried in the compound. Further, a medical examination conducted on the other girls concluded 16 were raped. Here's more about this.
The allegation
Medical reports confirmed 16 girls raped inside shelter home
Last month, the shelter home named Sewa Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti was sealed after a study conducted by Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) mentioned sexual violence. It was alleged 40 girls were assaulted over a period of time. A medical examination confirmed 16 girls were raped. Owners Brajesh Thakur, Vineet Kumar, and seven other female staff members were arrested earlier.
The treatment
Girls were made to sleep naked, report suggests
The girls were treated inhumanely inside the horror house. Reportedly, a female teacher Kiran forced them to sleep naked. Upon rescue, one of the girls informed authorities that staff members used to thrash them. The girl, who was allegedly killed, had an argument with staff and was brutally beaten. She succumbed to injuries, and her body was buried, reports revealed.
Action taken
After this case, special team formed to monitor shelter homes
Further, it is alleged five inmates who had gone missing from the shelter home were murdered and burnt for fighting sexual-abuse. A CBI investigation against the shelter home has been demanded, and a case registered under POCSO Act. Registration of other centers and old age homes run by the same NGO have been canceled. A special team was formed to monitor 140 shelter homes.
Twitter Post
Will soon file a charge sheet, says senior police officer
10 people have been arrested so far, we will soon file a charge-sheet against them. None of the girls have mentioned that they were ever taken outside the hostel: Harpreet Kaur, SSP, Muzaffarpur on Muzaffarpur shelter home alleged rape case #Bihar pic.twitter.com/2Y1rDPwyJm
— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2018
Details
Meanwhile, political shots have been fired by RJD towards CM
Taking potshots at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the government knew about the assault since March. "CM Nitish Kumar must tell who is protecting the culprit?" tweeted Yadav. "Owner of the NGO that runs the shelter home is close to CM Nitish Kumar, had even campaigned for him in elections," Yadav alleged. The CM hasn't spoken about it yet.