Shelter Home Rapes: Patna HC takes suo motu cognisance

The Patna High Court on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of the rape of over 20 minor girls in a shelter home in Muzaffarpur and asked the Bihar Government to be ready with its explanation when the case comes up for hearing on Thursday.

The court took notice of media reports and fixed July 26 for further hearing in the case, a government lawyer said. 10 people have been arrested so far.

The sexual abuse came to light during a social audit by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai after conversations with several girls who alleged sexual assault.

Last week, a medical examination of 44 inmates revealed that 21 were raped.

Meantime, one girl was beaten to death and buried after a disagreement with the staff, one of the girls has told the police.