Nitish orders CBI probe in Muzaffarpur case

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday ordered a CBI probe into the Muzaffarpur sexual abuse case.

The decision to hand over the investigation to the CBI was made hours before the Patna High Court was to hear a public interest litigation in this connection.

While the court posted the matter for further hearing in August, Nitish said the CBI investigation was ordered to put a stop to the canard being spread in the matter.

The Opposition welcomed the decision but asked Nitish to identify the minister whose name cropped up in the incident, hinting at Urban Development Minister Suresh Sharma.

"Nitish should drop the BJP minister, who is Sushil Modi's protege, from the Cabinet after his name cropped up in the sordid affair," said Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.

Of the 29 girls who were found to have been raped in the shelter home, one has reportedly told the investigating officers that "ek mota pet wale neta" (pot-bellied leader) used to frequently visit the shelter home.

Sharma, who is the BJP MLA from Muzaffarpur, however, denied his role in the incident.

"I will file a defamation suit against Tejashwi," said Sharma, who last year was in the news for a scuffle with hotel employees in West Bengal when he went there to offer prayers at Tarapeeth.