New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Delhi High Court order that had suspended the life sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and granted him bail in the Unnao rape case.
Staying the High Court’s December 23 order, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said, “In view of the peculiar facts where the convict has been convicted for a separate offence, we stay the operation of the Delhi High Court order. The respondent shall not be released pursuant to the said order.”
The top court also issued notice to Sengar on a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which challenged the High Court’s decision to suspend his sentence.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had put Sengar’s life sentence on hold while his appeal was pending, noting that he had spent over seven years in prison, and granted him conditional bail. The High Court also ruled that Sengar could not be treated as a public servant under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act and the IPC, prompting the CBI to approach the Supreme Court.
The High Court order had triggered protests, in which the Unnao rape survivor also participated, seeking justice. The survivor had said she believed the Supreme Court would deliver justice in the case.
Kuldeep Singh Sengar was convicted in December 2019 in the Unnao rape case and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹25 lakh. His family has said they have faith in the Supreme Court and hope for a just outcome.(KNS)
