Top News
SC slams Bihar for ‘very selective’ action against Muzaffarpur horror accused
New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS) The Supreme court on Tuesday slammed the Bihar government for being “very selective” in taking action against those accused of being involved in the sexual and other abuses of children and indicated that it would hand over to the CBI investigation into all the cases of child abuse in the shelter homes of the state.
“Your state has been very selective…catch this and leave others,” said the bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Justice Deepak Gupta in the course of hearing of Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case.
Asking the counsel for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take instruction on taking over the investigation into nine cases of child abuse at shelter homes in Bihar, Justice Lokur told the counsel for Bihar government: “Let CBI do it. Your police…sorry, can’t arrest people, can’t file charge-sheet.”
The court vent its ire and said that all the cases would go to the CBI after it was told that of the nine cases, where the Chief Secretary has expressed “grave concern”, FIR has been filed in only five cases.
The Chief Secretary was present in the court pursuant to October 12 direction of the court.
Pointing to the “widespread mismanagement” of the shelter homes for children, the top court by its October 12 order had directed for the presence of the Chief Secretary to explain what remedial steps were being taken and the effect of those steps.
Apparently miffed over the manner in which cases of “grave concern” are being selectively dealt with, Justice Lokur said: “What is the nature of grave concern…definition of grave concern? How you understand this? Tell us, we will also understand.”
As the counsel for Bihar government Gopal Singh told the bench that in the remaining four cases, it may not constitute an offence, without mincing words, Justice Lokur told the Chief Secretary to know what was happening in the state administration under him.
Justice Gupta cited sections 323, 325, 406, 407 of the Indian Penal Code and the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) that were attracted in all the cases of children abuse at shelter homes in Bihar.
Justice Gupta wondered how the offences attracting stringent provisions of criminal law were apparently overlooked and the accused were booked for lesser offences.
The counsel for CBI, which is investigating the Muzaffarpur shelter home child abuse cases, told the court: “There could not be more heinous crime. Some children in shelter homes are being developed as trained soldiers who are used to punish other children not obeying the dictates of the caretakers of shelter homes.”
He cited the instance of a child who happened to be good cook but his face was gashed with three-inch wound after he refused to cook food for those running the shelter home.
Peeved over the way things were happening in the shelter homes in Bihar, Justice Lokur said: “We expect standards of reasonable person and not higher standards. We don’t know what your standards are.”
The matter is listed for hearing on Wednesday when CBI will tell the court on taking up rest of the shelter home child abuse cases in Bihar.
Another counsel Shekhar Naphade said: “There is much more to it than meets the eye.”
–IANS
pk/nir
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.