FIR Against Muzaffarpur Girls' Home After TISS Report on Sexual Exploitation

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posted on 6 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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State's social welfare minister Manju Verma told News18 that strict action would be taken against the culprits and if found guilty NGO Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti would be black listed.

Patna: After a report highlighted instances of sexual exploitation at a home for girls in Muzaffarpur, the district administration has taken action and an FIR has been registered under POCSO.

The government has shifted all the girls staying at the home to Madhubani and Patna.The district child protection unit has taken the building under its control on the direction of the Social Welfare Directorate, Patna.

An FIR has been lodged against NGO Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti, run by local politician and muscleman Brajesh Thakur. However, Thakur denied any wrongdoing and rubbished the report published by TISS.

State's social welfare minister Manju Verma told News18 that strict action would be taken against the culprits and if found guilty NGO Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti would be black listed.

When asked why her department's nodal office in Muzaffarpur failed to check such incidents, she came up with a bizarre logic. "How we will know about such things unless someone will report about it. Now that the case has been reported, I have taken cognisance."

Short stay homes give shelter to girls who flee from their homes, unable to locate family due to unstable mental conditions or left unattended by parents. These homes are funded by the state government but run by NGOs.

Social Security Directorate and Child Welfare Committee (CWC) are responsible for keeping a vigil on such NGOs.

Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Mohammad Sohail told News18 that Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harprit Kaur was heading the investigation and those responsible for such heinous crimes would be nabbed soon.

However, no arrests have been made so far. Based on the social audit report of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), a case has been registered under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) against the NGO and its functionaries.

The TISS report said many girls complained of physical abuses when its team interacted with them and recommended an inquiry and initiation of legal proceedings against the NGO.