SC puts off hearing on Kuldeep Singh Sengar sentence suspension plea

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred to the first week of May the hearing on a CBI plea challenging the suspension of life imprisonment of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case .

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the matter would be heard after the conclusion of proceedings before a nine-judge bench in the Sabarimala Review Proceedings.

During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi , appearing for Sengar, flagged delays in a separate case related to the custodial death of the survivor’s father , pending before the Delhi High Court. He argued that Sengar’s 10-year sentence in that case is nearing completion and sought bail, alleging repeated adjournments. However, the victim’s counsel Mehmood Pracha refuted this, stating only one adjournment had been sought.

The bench recorded assurances from both sides that no further adjournments would be requested in the High Court and urged cooperation for an expedited hearing.

Earlier, on December 29, the apex court stayed the Delhi High Court order that had suspended Sengar’s life sentence, directing that he remain in custody . The court noted that the case raises substantial questions of law . Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, termed the case a “horrific rape” of a minor .

The High Court had suspended the sentence citing that an MLA may not qualify as a “public servant” under IPC Section 21 , despite conviction under the POCSO Act. This interpretation has been challenged by the CBI , which argues that elected representatives should fall within that definition.

The High Court’s ruling drew widespread criticism and protests , while Sengar continues to remain in jail due to his conviction in the custodial death case.