SC defers transfer of CBI probe into Unnao victim’s ‘accident’

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday deferred for 15 days its decision ordering the Central Bureau of Investigation to shift the probe into the Unnao rape victim’s “accident” from Lucknow to Delhi.

The unprecedented order, putting in abeyance its earlier order issued on Thursday, came on an urgent plea by the agency saying the move would create complications, including confusion over the court in which the accused arrested in the case so far need to be produced.

The driver and the cleaner of the truck that rammed into the victim’s car have been arrested. An aunt of the victim died in the incident while the victim and her lawyer were critically injured.


As per the law, the accused have to be produced in a local court which will remand them to further custody if required.

CBI pointed out this practical hitch about moving the case to Delhi to a bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.

The CJI immediately held his earlier order transferring this case to a Delhi special court in abeyance for 15 days.

The bench, also comprising Justice Deepak Gupta, had Thursday ordered that the probe be completed within two weeks.

Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court bench held off for now on airlifting the victim from a Lucknow hospital to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, in view of the family’s hesitation to do so.