Patna, July 23: Authorities in Bihar on Monday began digging at the Muzaffarpur shelter home premises after rape and murder allegations. Over 40 girls were allegedly raped at a government-run shelter home in Muzaffarpur. The shocking case came to light last week. The girls also alleged that one girl was beaten to death and buried in the premises after disagreement with staff members.

The girls said that they were shown pornographic films and given sedatives before getting sexually assaulted. They also alleged that those girls who resisted the assault were roughed up badly.

More than 10 people, including all staff members of the shelter home and some government officials, have so far been arrested in this connection while all the inmates have been shifted to other districts. "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," said Muzaffarpur SSP Harpreet Kaur.

"Nothing has been found so far at the shelter home premises where digging is underway. We are conducting a thorough investigation, police is working independently," she added.

Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, attacked the Bihar government for its “failure” to protect the girls at the shelter home and other places. “Since March, Bihar Govt is aware about repeated rapes committed against 40 minor inmates of Muzaffarpur shelter home by politicians, officials for years. Many had forced abortions. No action has been taken but cover up is on at war footing,” the RJD leader said in a release.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2018 01:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).