New Delhi, Dec 23: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday suspended the life imprisonment term of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar, convicted in the sensational 2019 Unnao rape case, granting him interim relief on medical grounds.
Sengar, a former BJP MLA from Unnao, had approached the court seeking bail citing serious health concerns. The court passed the order on his plea, though a detailed judgment and further hearings are awaited as the case continues to draw widespread attention.
Sengar was convicted in December 2019 by a Delhi trial court for raping a minor girl from Unnao district in June 2017. The victim, then 17 years old, had accused him of sexual assault, triggering a series of tragic events including attacks on her family. He was sentenced to life imprisonment under POCSO Act provisions and other charges.
The case gained national notoriety after the victim’s father died in custody following an assault allegedly linked to Sengar’s associates, and her lawyer and two aunts were killed in subsequent incidents. Sengar was expelled from BJP shortly after the allegations surfaced in 2019.
The High Court’s decision comes after Sengar filed for suspension of sentence, primarily on health grounds. He has been lodged in Tihar Jail since his conviction. The trial court had rejected his earlier bail pleas, emphasizing the gravity of the crime against a minor.
Legal experts note that such suspensions are often granted pending appeals when medical evidence is presented, but the final outcome depends on merits of the case. The CBI, which investigated the matter, had opposed bail citing public interest and the victim’s trauma.
The Unnao case had significant political repercussions, with the BJP distancing itself from Sengar amid public outrage. It highlighted issues of political accountability and justice for sexual assault victims, becoming a flashpoint during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The High Court order is likely to reignite debates on victim justice versus convict rights, especially given the case’s high profile. Further details on Sengar’s medical condition and court observations are expected in the coming days.
