Unnao Rape Case: SC halts Delhi HC order suspending Kuldeep Sengar’s life sentence

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Delhi High Court order that had suspended the life sentence of former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case , providing relief to the survivor who said she had full faith in the justice system.

A three-judge vacation bench headed by Justice Surya Kant heard a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the Delhi High Court’ s decision to grant Sengar conditional bail pending disposal of his appeal. The bench also issued a notice to Sengar, directing him to file his response.

Security was heightened outside the Supreme Court complex ahead of the hearing, with additional personnel deployed anticipating protests and heightened public interest in the case. Sengar’s daughter and his advocate, Aishwarya Sengar, were also present at the court premises during the proceedings.

Following the apex court’s order, the Unnao rape survivor expressed satisfaction over the decision and said she felt vindicated.

“I am very happy with this decision. I have got justice from the Supreme Court. I have been raising my voice for justice from the very beginning,” she told PTI over phone from Delhi.

She added that while she respected all courts, the Supreme Court’s intervention had strengthened her faith in the judicial system.

The developments came a day after the survivor participated in a protest organised by the All India Progressive Women Association (AIPWA) in Delhi, where she appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure her safety. She said her family and witnesses were living under constant threat since Sengar was granted bail by the High Court.

Addressing the protest, the survivor alleged that her family had faced severe consequences following the bail order, including loss of livelihood and intimidation of witnesses. She urged authorities to provide protection so she could pursue her legal battle without fear. Protesters raised slogans demanding cancellation of Sengar’s bail and held placards calling for strict action against sexual offenders.

The Delhi High Court had earlier suspended Sengar’s life imprisonment sentence and granted him bail while hearing his appeal. However, the CBI challenged the decision, citing the gravity of the offence and the impact on the survivor.

Sengar, a former BJP legislator from Unnao, was convicted in December 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment in the rape case that had sparked nationwide outrage and renewed debate on crimes against women and political accountability. Despite the bail granted in the rape case, Sengar continues to remain in jail as he is serving a separate 10-year sentence in another CBI case related to murder .

The Supreme Court’s stay on the High Court order will remain in force until further hearing of the matter.