The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered four cases of alleged physical abuse and exploitation of children at shelter homes in Bihar, following a Supreme Court directive.
First Information Reports (FIR) have been registered against the then officials of the Boys’ Children Home run by the Rupam Pragati Samaj Samiti in Bhagalpur and House Mother Children Home in Gaya, and the Panaah Shelter Home and Short Stay Home in Munger.
In the case involving alleged exploitation and wrongful confinement of children at the Short Stay Home, the agency has named its then director Manoj Kumar and Novelty Welfare Society.
The CBI had initially taken over the case of alleged sexual assault of more than 30 minor girls at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur.
Based on the FIR, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also initiated a money laundering probe and has recorded the statement of main accused Brajesh Thakur, who is currently lodged in a Patiala jail. The Directorate now plans to attach the alleged proceeds of crime.
The SC had earlier directed the CBI to investigate 17 shelter homes based on a Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) report that recorded testimonies of abuse.