India orders probe into rapes of minors at shelter

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The chief minister of India's eastern state of Bihar on Thursday recommended a probe from the country's federal premier investigating agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), into the alleged rape of minor girls living in a government-run shelter, officials said.

"The government is committed to an impartial inquiry into the Muzaffarpur shelter home incident where a very despicable incident has happened," a statement issued by the government said.

"An inquiry was ongoing but an atmosphere of doubt was being created so the Chief Minister has directed the state chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police to hand over the case to the CBI," the statement said.

Earlier, the government said there was no need of a CBI inquiry into the incident as they were "satisfied" with the police's investigation.

A shelter home for girls in the state's Muzaffarpur district, about 70km north of Patna, was sealed last month following allegations of sexual exploitation by inmates.

More than 40 girls were lodged at the shelter home.

Police have arrested 10 people including the person who was managing affairs of the shelter home.

(Cover image: A child holds a doll during a protest against the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, near Jammu, in New Delhi, India, April 15, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency