New Delhi, November 27: The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Bihar government for showing laxity in the investigation in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape cases. The apex court gave the Nitish Kumar government 24 hours to add charges under Section 377 (rape) of the IPC and the POCSO Act in the FIRs.

The Bihar police registered an FIR against former social welfare minister Manju Verma and her husband Chandrakant Verma in connection with the case under the Arms Act in August. Lashing out at the government, the Supreme Court said, "What are you (Bihar government) doing? It’s shameful. If the child is sodomised you say it’s nothing? How can you do this? It’s inhuman." NGO Manager Taught Girls How to Have Sex at Muzaffarpur Shelter Home: CBI.

Using strong words, the top court told the government that "if we find that there were offences under section 377 of IPC and the POCSO Act and you did not register FIR, we will pass an order against the government." "There are 17 shelter homes where allegations of sexual abuse were cited in the TISS report. Why should each case not be investigated? Are these children lesser citizens of the country?” the court asked. Why Manju Verma Stepped Down as Bihar Social Welfare Minister.

The apex court expressed unhappiness over the Bihar police's probe in the case and wished to transfer the case to the Central Beaureu of Investigation (CBI). Following the Supreme Court's outburst, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav hit out at Nitish Kumar and alleged the chief minister was trying to bury the matter.

"It took two months to file FIR in the case and even then the name of the main accused wasn’t included. All the names coming up in the case are of those close to Nitish Kumar. The CM is trying his best to brush the case under the carpet," Tejashwi Yadav said.

A social audit by the Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai, found that of the 42 girls lodged at the short-stay home in Muzaffarpur 34 were found to have been sexually assaulted.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 27, 2018 12:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).