Muzaffarpur shelter home case: Brajesh Thakur's aide arrested

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Saista Praveen alias Madhu, a close aide of Brajesh Thakur, the prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case.

Terming the arrest of Madhu as a "big catch", CBI officials said that during the investigation, it was found that Madhu was allegedly involved in teaching children "how to have sex."

Madhu had surrendered in Muzaffarpur shortly after the arrest of former Bihar Minister Manju Verma, who surrendered in Begusarai Court in connection with an Arms Act case. CBI sources said that Madhu was the one who was managing the affairs of the NGO-managed shelter home in which over 40 girls were allegedly sexually harassed.

As per CBI sources, Madhu is the king-pin in shelter home case. She was involved in sending girls to clients for sexual activities. Sources further revealed that she was very close to Brajesh Thakur and has all the records of clients. CBI officials added that Madhu was taking care of all money and clients.

On hearing the details of the case, the Supreme Court, while perusing the status report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Muzaffarpur shelter home probe, had said that it revealed "shocking, horrible and scary" details of how the crime was committed. During the hearing, the Apex Court said that primary accused Brajesh Thakur should be shifted to a jail outside Bihar as he "is a very influential person."

"It's very scary and terrible. What is the Bihar government doing? Brajesh Thakur is a very influential man and obstructing the investigation," the top court said. The case came to light following an audit report submitted by Mumbai's leading research institute, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).