The infamous ‘Muzaffarpur shelter home case’ involving alleged rape and abuse of girls has been transferred from Bihar to Saket district court of Delhi. Supreme Court has shifted this case in order to have a ‘free and fair’ trial.
Actually, while hearing the case Supreme Court said that ‘children cannot be treated like this’. The bench, led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, showed concern over the nature of trial going on, which can harm the minds of children being questioned by officers.
The mental trauma faced by any ‘victim’ during the trial process is nothing new. However, the alleged insensitivity of officers while dealing with small children raises further concerns.
Supreme Court also questioned the transfer of a CBI officer who was probing this case. CJI Ranjan Gogoi asked CBI to explain that why the officer probing ‘Muzaffarpur shelter home case’ was transferred despite Supreme Court giving orders not to do so. CBI didn’t inform SC before taking this step which further raises questions on the authenticity of the probe.
Nitish Kumar, CM of Bihar, chose to remain silent after SC’s order on this serious issue which involves alleged abuse of girls in his state. The Muzaffarpur shelter home case’ includes systematic rape and abuse of small girls inside a shelter home run by an NGO which came in the media last year.
It is an irony that Bihar government is an ally of BJP, which talks about ‘women’s safety’ but is unable to keep Bihar safe for small girls.
