In fresh trouble for Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party, police on Monday slapped a case against its MLA Arun Verma after a woman who had accused him of rape was found dead under mysterious circumstances.

Verma, contesting from Sultanpur, has denied any role in the death of the 21-year-old who was found dead on Sunday.

The legislator himself has called for a CBI probe into the matter, suggesting that in the poll season it could be a political conspiracy to harm his prospects.

Sultanpur district is set to go to the polls in the fifth phase of assembly elections on February 27.

The father of the deceased blamed Verma for the death, after which he was booked for murder.

The woman was gang raped in October 2013 and had named eight persons including Verma.

In February 2014, Verma's name was removed from the case.
 

In May 2016, the Allahabad High Court had sought a probe into the crime and ordered compensation of Rs 7 lakh to the victim.

The next hearing in the case was scheduled for February 21.

A Home Department official said the fact that she asked for security and it was down-sized was a serious matter.

The victim's family said she went missing after stepping out of the house to lighten herself on Sunday night. Her body was found behind a toilet.