I'm being victimised as I belong to Kushwaha community: Manju Verma

Bihar's former Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma, who is an accused in an Arms Act case in connection with Muzaffarpur Shelter Home rape incident, on Saturday, claimed that she was being unnecessarily harassed just because she belonged to Kushwaha community and was a woman.

Verma told the media, "Why am I being tortured for the past four months? I am being victimised because I belong to a weaker community because I am from the Kushwaha community and am a woman. I want to ask the government, people of India and all the opposition leaders to tell me what my fault is. The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the matter and I am certain that they will do their job well."

Verma and her husband Chandrasekhar Verma have been sent to jail after they were produced before a Court earlier on Saturday. Verma had surrendered before a Begusarai court on November 20.

In November, a non-bailable warrant was issued against her after 50 live cartridges were seized from her residence during a raid by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case.

The Supreme Court on October 31 this year had also rapped the Bihar Police for its failure in arresting the former minister, who came under scrutiny after the disclosure that her husband Chandrashekhar Verma allegedly had links with Brajesh Thakur, the prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home rapes.

The case pertains to the alleged sexual harassment of 44 girls residing at the state-run shelter home.