Former Uttar Pradesh legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar faced a crushing blow from the Delhi High Court today, which rejected his plea to stay his conviction and grant bail in the infamous Unnao rape scandal. The decision solidifies his continued incarceration amid ongoing appeals.
During proceedings, the division bench highlighted Sengar’s extensive criminal antecedents, refusing to overlook them in a case of such severity. The matter stems from the 2017 Unnao outrage where Sengar was held guilty of abducting and sexually assaulting a teenage girl. Compounding the horror, the victim’s father died under suspicious circumstances while in custody, leading to Sengar’s additional conviction and a 10-year sentence.
Having spent over seven years in jail, Sengar argued for bail citing prolonged detention. However, the court countered that procedural delays were exacerbated by his repeated filings. It urged a swift resolution to his main appeal, signaling no leniency for serious offenders.
Recall the timeline: Trial court verdict in late 2019 imposed jail time and a Rs 25 lakh penalty, igniting public fury. A temporary bail in December was overturned by the Supreme Court on CBI’s intervention. Today’s order closes another chapter in Sengar’s bid for freedom.
The ruling reverberates beyond the courtroom, reinforcing accountability in gender-based crimes. Victims’ advocates hail it as a victory for rule of law, while the case continues to symbolize systemic challenges in delivering justice against politically connected accused.
