Burdwan, Nov. 27: All five accused in a 2012 Burdwan rape that was dubbed "sajano ghatona (fabricated incident)" by the chief minister were today acquitted, hours after which the public prosecutor submitted his resignation.

Public prosecutor Kanchan Mukherjee said his decision was in protest against the verdict by the Katwa court.

"Police had done a fair investigation. They got the woman's medical tests done within five hours of the incident and arrested seven of the eight accused. The woman had identified all seven. Two of them died last year and one of the accused is untraceable," he said.

Mukherjee said the medical tests had confirmed rape.

Asked if the state government would move a higher court against today's judgment, the lawyer said: "As my resignation is yet to be accepted, I will advise the district public prosecutor to move a higher court."

According to a court official, Mukherjee's resignation letter would be forwarded to Calcutta High Court for consideration.

The 35-year-old widow was dragged out of a local train when she was returning home from work by a gang of robbers who raped her at a deserted place near the tracks on February 25, 2012.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee not only described the incident as "fabricated", she also said the woman's husband was a CPM worker. Her husband had, however, died 11 years ago.

Left Front chairman Biman Bose today criticised the government lawyer and the police for allegedly "dragging their feet" on the case.

State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury echoed Bose.