Unnao Rape Case Update: Expelled BJP Leader Kuldeep Sengar’s Jail Term Suspended After 5 Years
In a major development in the Unnao rape case, a court has suspended the jail term of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Sengar, pending further proceedings
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday suspended the jail term of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is serving life imprisonment in the Unnao rape case.
A bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar released Sengar on bail while directing him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 15 lakh with three sureties of the like amount.
The high court also directed Sengar not to come within a 5 km radius of the victim’s house and not threaten her or her mother.
“Violation of any of the conditions would lead to cancellation of bail,” the court said.
Sengar’s sentence has been suspended by the high court till the pendency of his appeal challenging his conviction and sentence in the rape case. He has challenged the December 2019 trial court verdict in the rape case.
The minor girl was kidnapped and raped by Sengar in 2017.
The rape case and other connected cases were transferred to Delhi from a trial court in Uttar Pradesh on the directions of the Supreme Court on August 1, 2019.
Sengar’s appeal against his conviction in the case of the survivor’s father’s custodial death case is also pending, where he has sought suspension of sentence on the ground that he has already spent a substantial time in jail. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail in the custodial death case.
In a significant legal development in the high-profile Unnao rape case, a court has suspended the jail term of expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar. The order comes years after Sengar’s conviction in one of India’s most closely watched criminal cases, which had sparked nationwide outrage and raised serious questions about political influence, women’s safety, and the justice system.
In a significant legal development in the high-profile Unnao rape case, a court has suspended the jail term of expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar. The order comes years after Sengar’s conviction in one of India’s most closely watched criminal cases, which had sparked nationwide outrage and raised serious questions about political influence, women’s safety, and the justice system.
In December 2019, a Delhi court convicted Kuldeep Sengar of rape under the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, a verdict that was widely seen as a milestone in the fight against sexual violence and political impunity.
Apart from the rape conviction, Sengar was also found guilty in other related cases, including culpable homicide connected to a road accident that killed the survivor’s father while the case was ongoing. The series of convictions further reinforced public perception of the gravity of the crimes involved.
The recent order suspending Sengar’s jail term does not amount to an acquittal. Legal experts clarify that sentence suspension is a procedural relief granted under specific circumstances, often pending appeal or on medical or humanitarian grounds. The conviction itself remains intact unless overturned by a higher court.
While detailed reasons cited by the court have not been fully disclosed in the public domain, such decisions are typically influenced by factors such as the length of time already spent in custody, health conditions, or pending legal proceedings.
The court has reportedly imposed conditions on the suspension, which may include restrictions on movement, mandatory reporting to authorities, or other safeguards to ensure compliance with legal norms.
The suspension of Sengar’s jail term has triggered mixed reactions across political and social circles. Some legal observers have emphasised the importance of due process, noting that Indian law provides mechanisms for appeal and sentence suspension even in serious cases.
However, women’s rights activists and civil society groups have expressed concern, warning that such developments could send a troubling signal to survivors of sexual violence. They argue that high-profile cases carry symbolic importance and influence public trust in the justice system.
Political parties have largely responded cautiously, with the BJP reiterating that Sengar was expelled from the party years ago and no longer holds any political position. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, have called for transparency and urged authorities to ensure the survivor’s safety and dignity remain protected.
The Unnao rape case has long been regarded as a landmark case highlighting systemic challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault, particularly when the accused holds political power. The survivor and her family were provided security following multiple threats, underlining the risks involved in pursuing justice.
Legal experts stress that while sentence suspension is a lawful provision, courts must balance individual rights with the broader societal impact of such decisions. They also emphasise that the appellate process will ultimately determine the final outcome of the case.
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