CBI to Challenge Delhi HC Order Suspending Kuldeep Singh Sengar's Life Term in Unnao Rape Case

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court's verdict to suspend the life sentence of former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case, national media reports.

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court ordered the release of Sengar, who is currently serving life term in the rape case, on bail.

According to reports, CBI's decision comes amid protests against the Delhi High Court Verdict, including the survivor. Earlier, the survivor told PTI that the order had deepened her fears, especially as security cover for her family members, lawyers and witnesses had already been withdrawn. "If convicts get bail in cases like this, how will the country’s daughters remain safe? For us, this decision is no less than kaal (death),' she told PTI.

On Tuesday night, the survivor, her mother and activist- lawyer Yogita Bhayana staged a protest at India Gate, where they were detained by the police.

Sengar, however, will remian in jail as he is also serving a 10-year term in the custodial death of the survivor.

The Unnao rape case dates back to June 2017, when the survivor, then 17, accused Sengar of rape in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district. Sengar was later expelled from the BJP and convicted in 2019. He was also found guilty in the custodial death of the survivor’s father, who had initially been framed after the rape complaint was lodged. On the Supreme Court’s directions, the rape case and related matters were transferred from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi in August 2019.