The Uttar Pradesh government has according to media reports after facing backlash has recommended a CBI probe into a road accident in which the Unnao rape survivor and her lawyer were critically injured and her two aunts killed.

Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said in a statement that a formal request for it has been sent to Government of India.

“The government has decided to refer the investigation of case crime number 305/2019 u/s 302/307/506/120 B IPC PS Gurbuxganj Distt Raebareli to the CBI. A formal request has been sent to Government of India in this regard,” he said.

Earlier in the day, UP DGP OP Singh had said the state government was ready for a CBI probe into the accident, if a request is made.

The Uttar Pradesh police has filed a murder case against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and nine others after the rape survivor’s family filed a complaint, alleging “conspiracy” behind the accident.

Sengar, a four-time MLA from UP’s Bangermau, is accused of raping the woman. He was arrested last year in April and is in judicial custody.