Watch LIVE coverage by ABP News
Meanwhile, a member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was quoted as saying by news agency ANI that SIT & CBI will conduct parallel investigation in the case.
The Chief Minister's Office said in a statement that CM has recommended a CBI probe in the investigation. Later CM Yogi also tweeted about the same from his official Twitter handle. "For the purpose of intensive investigation of the unfortunate incident of Hathras and all the points connected to it, UP government had recommended a thorough Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case. We are determined to bring the harshest punishment to all those responsible for this incident," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
The decision comes amid widespread criticism of the Uttar Pradesh administration's mishandling of the case and recent series of events, which saw Hathras cops fortifying the house of the victim, preventing family members from meeting political delegations and even mediapersons. After more than 28 hours of ABP News' relentless struggle, finally action was taken against some of the top cops of the district and the family members were permitted to meet mediapersons.
Also Check | IN PICS: Bedlam At DND Flyway; Priyanka, Rahul & Other Congress Leaders Attempt To Cross Police Blockade
The announcement also comes close on the heels of Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi's meet with the family of the victim, after which they declared they will fight for justice to the Dalit woman who died after being allegedly gang-raped.
We will fight against injustice, and fight till justice is done, Priyanka Gandhi told reporters after the meeting that lasted about 45 minutes. Rahul Gandhi said no power can stifle the voice of the family.
Uttar Pradesh authorities had scuttled an earlier attempt by the two leaders to travel to Hathras, detaining them and several party workers in Greater Noida outside Delhi on Thursday
Victim's brother denies asking for a CBI inquiry into the case:
While BJP leaders deny the allegations that the CBI inquiry is a face-saving move by the UP government and is initiated as per the demand of the family of the victim, the brother of Hathras victim has denied asking for a CBI probe into the case.
The 19-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped on September 14 in an assault by four men that left her critically injured. She died at a Delhi hospital last Tuesday and was allegedly cremated without family's consent at midnight.