CBI looks for babus funding Bihar NGO

◗ Identity of state government officials who frequently released funds to the shelter to be ascertained by CBI

The CBI, probing the alleged abuse of minor girls at a state- funded shelter home in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district, is scanning financial records of NGO Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti that managed the facility, to ascertain the identity of officials who released funds for its operation. NGO owner Brajesh Thakur and nine other accused were arrested after a social audit confirmed sexual abuse of more than 30 girls at the shelter home. On Saturday, the Bihar government suspended of six assistant directors of child protection units for negligence.

The CBI, probing the alleged abuse of minor girls at a state- funded shelter home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, has now started scrutiny of the financial records of NGO-- Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti-- to ascertain the identity of state government officials who frequently released funds to the shelter.

The agency sleuths recently met principal secretary, social welfare department of Bihar government, and sought certain files pertaining to the shelter home run by the NGO owned by the jailed Brajesh Thakur. "We are scrutinising financial records of the NGO. The agency will soon ascertain the identity of the suspect public servants, who financially helped the accused. The agency is collecting all relevant documents from the authorities concerned, including social welfare department, in the state", sources said.

The Press Information Bureau ( PIB) recently cancelled the accreditation of Brajesh Thakur. Kumar owned a newspaper each in Hindi, English and Urdu but it is alleged that circulation figures were inflated to gain greater slice of government advertisement revenue.

The PIB also asked all ministries and departments concerned to withdraw the facilities provided to him on the basis of his accreditation which include health facilities, government accommodation, railway pass and other benefits.

The Bihar government's information and public relation department ( IPRD) cancelled his press accreditation card after an FIR was lodged against him on May 31.

It has began investigation on the media house to find out whether he and his colleagues ever misused facilities accorded to accredited journalists.