Narendra Modi government tells CBI to probe Badaun rape case

The Centre on Wednesday issued a notification for CBI investigation into the alleged gangrape and killing of two teenage cousins in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun nearly a fortnight ago.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued the notification, which is a mandatory requirement for the CBI to take up a probe in a state-specific incident, official sources said.

The two girls, who were cousins aged 14 and 15 years, were allegedly gangraped and murdered with their bodies found hanging from a tree, a day after they went missing on May 27, in a village in Ushait area in Badaun. Uttar Pradesh Police had registered a case against seven accused, of whom five--three brothers Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Yadav and Urvesh Yadav and constables Chhatrapal Yadav and Sarvesh Yadav---have been arrested in the case.

The incident triggered nation-wide outrage and Akhilesh Yadav government had come under attack over the law and order situation in the state. Political parties and civil society activists had been demanding CBI probe into the matter. Badaun is about 300 km from Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow.

As per Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, which governs CBI functioning, prior approval of state and the DoPT is required to investigate a crime outside the agency's jurisdiction as law and order is a state subject.

CBI had already received a notification from Uttar Pradesh in this regard and expressed its willingness to take over the probe, the sources said.

They said the case will be probed by the unit based here to avoid any allegation of favour or pressure from local administration.