Manju Verma, Bihar Minister, Resigns After Husband's Links With Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Rape Case Accused Brajesh Thakur Emerge

Patna, Aug 8: Amid the row which has erupted over the uncovering of the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case, Bihar's social welfare minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Manju Verma has resigned on moral grounds.

Her resignation came hours after reports citing CBI sources said Verma's husband was in touch with Brajesh Thakur, who is the prime accused in the shelter home rape case.

The report claimed that the investigators have found 17 call transactions between Verma and Thakur, whose NGO Sewa Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti managed the shelter home where 34 minor inmates were allegedly raped.

The state's Opposition had mounted pressure on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seeking Verma's ouster from his Ministry due to her alleged cover-up of the sexual assault case.

"Neither she, nor does Nitish ji have the moral right to continue in power. If the CM cannot resign, he should at least be sensitive enough to sack the social welfare minister," said Leader of Opposition and RJD legislator Tejashwi Yadav.

Addressing a Janata Darbar on Sunday, Nitish had rejected the Opposition's demand to sack Verma, saying there is no reason which has emerged so far which compels him to act against the minister.

The shelter home rape case is currently being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The rescued victims are currently in government's custody. Under trauma, most of them are yet to record their statements.

Breaking his silence on the rape case last week, the Chief Minister said his government will not spare anyone involved. "Action would be taken against each and every individual responsible. The incident has shamed every individual in Bihar," he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 08, 2018 04:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).