Patna: The special investigation team (SIT) probing the Balika Grih sexual abuse case is not in a hurry to interrogate the husband of the social welfare minister who has been accused of frequenting the shelter home for minor girls in Muzaffarpur.

Muzaffarpur deputy superintendent of police (town) Mukul Ranjan, who is part of the SIT, told The Telegraph over phone on Friday from Muzaffarpur: "The investigation in the case will continue till the CBI formally takes over the case. The role of other suspects in the case is being verified." When asked about the police action against Chandeshwar Verma, the husband of social welfare minister Manju Verma, Ranjan said there was no hurry to question him.

"We are collecting evidence and will question him, if required. This is not the stage (right time) to interrogate him." He, however, clarified that he came to know about the visit of the minister's husband to the shelter home run by non-government organisation Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti through media. "No senior police officer or any administrative officer has made any comment on his (Verma's) role in the scandal so far," he added.

Ranjan said those found to be involved in unlawful act would not be spared. Till date 10 people - eight associated with the NGO and two officials - Vikas Kumar, councillor-cum-member of the district child welfare committee, and Ravi Raushan, district child protection unit officer, have been arrested. Minister Manju Verma has said her husband has visited the shelter home only once.

Local residents, however, said her husband Chandeshwar, a former MLC, was often seen in the district headquarters town. "What was the purpose of his visit to the town? Minister Manju Verma should explain," said a resident.

The SIT is probing the role of some other suspects such as accountant and house-keeper of the shelter home located on Sahu Road in Muzaffarpur town, around 80km north of Patna, on the basis of statements of the girls, who were staying there.

Ranjan said the girl inmates, who were sexually assaulted, had identified three of their tormentors - Brajesh Kumar, Ravi Raushan and Vikas Kumar - with their photographs. "That is why Ravi Raushan and Vikas Kumar were arrested after the statements of the girls were recorded," he said.

Efforts to contact Muzaffarpur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harpreet Kaur proved futile. She didn't respond to repeated calls made on her official mobile number from this newspaper's office.