NEW DELHI, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The chief minister of India's eastern state of Bihar Thursday recommended a probe from the country's federal premier investigating agency -- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged rape of minor girls living in a government-run shelter, officials said.

"The government is committed to an impartial inquiry into the Muzaffarpur shelter home incident where a very despicable incident has happened. An inquiry was going on but an atmosphere of doubt was being created so Chief Minister has directed the state chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police to hand over the case to CBI," a statement issued by the government said.

Earlier, the government said there was no need of a CBI inquiry into the incident as they were "satisfied" with the investigation of police.

A shelter home for girls in the state's Muzaffarpur district, about 70 km north of Patna was sealed last month following allegations of sexual exploitation by inmates.

More than 40 girls were lodged at the shelter home.

The issue came to light following a social audit report by Mumbai's Tata Institute of Social Sciences which suggested that inmates were being "sexually exploited."

Reports said of the 42 girls sent for medical examination, reports of 29 girls have confirmed "sexual contact".

Police have arrested 10 people including the person who was managing affairs of the shelter home.