In Bihar Shelter Where Girls Were Raped, Cops Dig For 'Buried Body'

The state-run shelter was shut down and the girls shifted to Patna, Madhubani

A team of policemen in Bihar has dug up the grounds at a government shelter home where over 40 young girls were allegedly raped, to investigate the allegation that one girl was beaten to death and buried there. Out of the 21 reports of medical examination that have been submitted, rape of 16 girls have been confirmed by doctors, while reports are still not out on the rest of the girls who lived in the horror house in Muzaffarpur.

The girl was killed after a disagreement with the staff, one of the girls has told the police.

An officer in the district administration has been arrested over the sexual assault of the girls at the state-run shelter, which has now been shut.

The state's Nitish Kumar government is under pressure after the disturbing case was highlighted in a tweet by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who has been taking on the state administration for its "failure" to check crime.

"Since March, the Bihar government was aware about repeated rapes of 40 minors in the Muzaffarpur shelter by politicians, officials for years. Many had forced abortions. No action was taken but cover up is on at war footing," said Tejashwi, who has taken charge of the RJD in the absence of his jailed father Lalu Yadav.  

After a medical examination confirmed the rape of 16 girls, most of the accused were arrested by the police last month. A report submitted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, based on conversations with several girls who alleged sexual assault, exposed the horrific assault of scores of girls at a home meant to be their shelter. The Bihar Social Welfare Department had filed a police complaint based on the audit report.

"The total number of people arrested in the case has now reached 10. We are on the lookout for people absconding," said senior police officer in Muzaffarpur, Harpreet Kaur. A special investigation team has been formed to probe the case.

The Bihar government has urged people to be vigilant and flag any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood. The state government has also directed all district magistrates to undertake surprise visit of homes for girls.