The Jharkhand government recommended a CBI probe into the death of additional judicial magistrate Uttam Anand in Dhanbad on July 28, chief minister Hemant Soren's decision coming on Saturday, days after the apex court took cognisance and described the incident an attack on the judiciary.

The communique issued by Hemant's office read, "The chief minister has approved a CBI probe into the death of Dhanbad judge, who was killed during his morning walk. Even though the state government has promptly formed a special investigation team (SIT), CM is recommending a CBI probe for thorough investigation into the whole incident.”

On Friday, Anand's family members met Hemant at his office in Ranchi and as per the communique, expressed their satisfaction with the ongoing probe constitued by the state government. State police have formed an 11-member special investigation team (SIT) under ADG (operation) Sanjay Anand Latekar.

On Saturday, the SIT reconstructed the scene of Anand's death in Dhanbad. On Friday, the coal belt police had seized the stolen auto that was used to attack the judge while he was on his morning walk. The man suspected to have driven the auto and his accomplice have been arrested.

Opposition BJP claimed credit for the state government's decision. Party spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said that by recommending a CBI probe, the state government had conceded its failure to crack the case after failing to maintain law and order in Jharkhand.

“Our party president and state leadership have been demanding a CBI probe in this case. We are happy that the state government has realised that it couldn’t probe the case and had to recommend a CBI probe in the light of severe criticism from both Supreme Court and high court for shoddy law and order in the state,” he said.