Supreme Court to Hear CBI’s Petition Challenging Bail to Sengar in Unnao Rape Case

The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the decision of the Delhi High Court to grant bail to former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the infamous Unnao rape case. The vacation bench of the apex court, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice JK Maheshwari, and Justice Augustine George Masih, will take up the matter on Monday, December 29. The Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the CBI seeks to overturn the Delhi High Court’s order, which allowed Sengar to be released on bail pending the appeal against his conviction in the rape case. The High Court had earlier suspended his sentence, granting him temporary relief, a decision that has been met with significant public scrutiny and criticism. Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a former member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, was convicted in December 2019 for the abduction and rape of a teenage girl from Unnao in 2017. The victim, then 17 years old, had accused Sengar of raping her at his residence in Uttar Pradesh. After the victim’s attempt to file a case against the MLA, she and her family faced harassment, intimidation, and even violence. In one chilling incident, the victim’s father was allegedly beaten by Sengar’s associates, leading to his eventual death in police custody under suspicious circumstances. Sengar was arrested and charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, criminal intimidation, and abduction. In 2019, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and other charges. The case garnered national attention, particularly after the victim’s courageous fight to get justice, despite threats and constant pressure from Sengar’s associates. However, in October 2020, Sengar’s conviction was upheld by the Allahabad High Court, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. In a tragic twist of fate, the victim and her family continued to face threats even after the trial, underscoring the level of power and influence the former MLA held within the political system. In a surprising development, the Delhi High Court granted Sengar bail in July 2023, citing his good conduct and the pendency of his appeal against the conviction. The court’s decision to suspend his sentence and grant him temporary relief was seen as controversial, with many critics questioning the leniency shown toward the convicted MLA. The High Court noted that the case was still under appeal and that Sengar’s health condition and the time he had already spent in prison were valid considerations in granting bail. However, this ruling has been met with widespread outrage from the victim’s supporters, political figures, and citizens who argue that Sengar should serve his sentence without delay, given the severity of his crime and the public interest in ensuring justice is served.