Chandigarh: The Haryana government has decided to hand over the investigation into the death of 19-year-old teacher Manisha in Bhiwani to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after widespread public outrage.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the decision on Wednesday, stating, “The state government and police administration are working with full seriousness and transparency to ensure justice for our daughter Manisha and her family. Based on the family’s demand, the case will be handed over to the CBI for an impartial investigation.”

The move comes after the teacher’s body was found in a field on August 13, two days after she went missing on August 11, reportedly while inquiring about admission at a nursing college. On Monday, police claimed the teenager had died by suicide after ingesting poison.

However, her father, Sanjay, strongly rejected this claim and refused to perform the last rites until justice was ensured. He said, “The administration is saying my daughter committed suicide, but she could never do that. I want justice.”

Earlier this week, a purported suicide note was found in a bag near Manisha’s body, along with her Aadhaar card and other documents. Investigators stated there was evidence of her buying insecticide, and the viscera report confirmed the presence of poison in her body. Police also said the post-mortem report ruled out sexual assault.

Despite this, villagers questioned the findings and continued protests by blocking roads in Bhiwani. Internet and bulk SMS services were suspended in Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts for 48 hours to maintain law and order.

The case sparked political controversy, with the opposition, including the Congress, demanding a CBI probe and criticizing the BJP-led government. Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda accused the administration of negligence and claimed there was an “unfortunate attempt to prove the case as suicide.”