Inside The Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case That Inspired Netflix's 'Bhakshak'

Bhumi Pednekar's investigative thriller, 'Bhakshak', is now streaming online on Netflix. Directed by Pulkit, the movie draws inspiration from real-life events, particularly the Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Rape Case, which saw the conviction of former Bihar MLA Brajesh Thakur and 11 others for their involvement in the sexual assault of minor girls.

Though the film's creators have yet to officially confirm its connection to the actual case, the storyline of 'Bhakshak' appears to mirror the harrowing events that unfolded in Bihar.

The trailer of 'Bhakshak' reveals Bhumi Pednekar in the role of Vaishali Singh, a determined local journalist embarking on an investigation into the disturbing abuses occurring at a shelter home for young girls. Sanjay Mishra plays Bhaskar Sinha, Vaishali's ally, while Aditya Srivastava portrays Bansi Sahu, the influential figure running the shelter home, likely representing Brajesh Thakur.

Produced under Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment banner, 'Bhakshak' is co-written by Pulkit and Jyotsana Nath.

Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case Timeline

Let us now delve into the gripping narrative that inspired Netflix's 'Bhakshak' as we uncover the real-life events behind the Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case.

• February 2018: TISS submits an audit report detailing incidents of sexual assault at the Muzaffarpur shelter home to Bihar's Social Welfare department.
• May 26: TISS report forwarded to Bihar's Social Welfare department director.
• May 29: Bihar government relocates girls from the shelter home to other protective facilities.
• May 31: Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed; FIR lodged against 11 accused, including Brajesh Thakur.
• June 14: Bihar's Women and Child Development ministry seals the Muzaffarpur shelter home and rescues 46 minor girls.
• August 1: Bihar Governor calls for monitoring of shelter homes and suggests fast-track courts for sexual abuse cases.
• August 2: Supreme Court intervenes, seeking responses from central and Bihar governments.
• August 5: Bihar Governor suspends six Assistant Directors of the State Welfare Department.
• August 7: SC prohibits media from publishing images of sexual abuse victims.
• August 8: Bihar's Minister of Social Welfare resigns.
• September 20: SC allows media reporting on the case.
• October 4: CBI finds a girl's skeleton at the shelter home.
• November 28: SC transfers 16 cases to CBI.
• February 7, 2019: Case transferred to a POCSO court in Delhi.
• February 25: Trial commences in district court.
• March 2: CBI reports victims' testimonies against Brajesh Thakur.
• March 6: Bihar CWC claims insufficient evidence.
• March 30: Charges framed against 21 accused.
• May 3: CBI alleges 11 girls were murdered.
• May 6: SC directs CBI to conclude its probe.
• June 3: SC grants CBI three more months.
• September 12: SC permits eight girls to reunite with families.
• September 30: Trial court reserves judgment.
• November 14: Judgment postponed due to lawyers' strike.
• December 12: Judgment deferred due to the trial judge's absence.
• January 8, 2020: CBI informs SC of no evidence of murders.
• January 20: Court convicts Thakur and 18 others.
• January 28: Hearing postponed due to judge's absence.
• February 4: Delhi court reserves sentencing.
• February 11: Thakur and 11 others sentenced to life imprisonment.