Unnao rape survivor protests bail of convict, places faith in Supreme Court

The Unnao rape survivor on Friday vowed not to be intimidated by the Delhi High Court’s decision granting bail to convict Kuldeep Sengar , despite him being sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the 2017 rape case. The survivor expressed unwavering faith in the Supreme Court to ensure justice.

Speaking to PTI, she said she participated in protests outside the Delhi High Court and other locations in New Delhi to question the message the bail order sends to women across the country. “It is my right and the right of the public to ask these questions. Not every judge is like this,” she said.

The survivor highlighted the personal cost of the High Court bail order , saying it has endangered her family’s safety and livelihood. “This order has caged me and many women like me. It poses a threat to my family. My husband has also lost his job. What are we supposed to do?” she asked.

The Unnao case dates back to 2017 when the survivor was allegedly raped by Kuldeep Sengar , a former BJP MLA. The case gained national attention after she was seriously injured in a suspicious car accident in 2019 while in police custody. Despite her suffering and the gravity of the crime, Sengar was granted bail by the Delhi High Court pending his appeal, even though he remains a convicted life-term prisoner.

In response, the survivor and her mother have staged protests in Delhi , including at India Gate and Mandi House , against the suspension of Sengar’s sentence. Security personnel, including Delhi Police and CRPF , prevented the demonstrations, sometimes forcibly removing them, citing lack of permission for protests at those locations.

Despite the long delay and lack of immediate action, the survivor said she will continue to trust the Supreme Court . “We will approach the Supreme Court, and I have blind faith in it. The Supreme Court has given me justice before, and I am confident it will do so again,” she said.

Displaying determination, she added, “They thought we would remain silent and fearful. They have not seen a woman in her Durga avatar . We will not be scared.” She emphasized that the fight is larger than her own case, describing it as “a fight for justice for the women of this country. I do not care if we are jailed, but we will continue to fight.”

The Delhi High Court’s bail order directed that Sengar must stay at least five kilometres away from the survivor’s residence and must not threaten her or her mother, warning that any violation would lead to automatic cancellation of bail. Legal challenges have been filed in the Supreme Court against the bail order, but as of now, no hearing has taken place.