The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant immediate relief to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the former MLA and convicted rapist, in the custodial death case of the Unnao rape survivor’s father.
At the same time, the apex court directed the Delhi High Court to hear Sengar’s plea seeking suspension of sentence on an “out-of-turn” basis and complete the hearing within three months.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice NV Anjaria emphasized that Sengar is already serving a life term for the rape of a minor.
Justice Bagchi remarked, “If you are serving a life sentence for another offence, is that not a relevant consideration for suspension of sentence?” The bench also instructed the High Court to hear the survivor’s appeal seeking enhancement of the sentence (from Section 304 to Section 302 IPC) along with Sengar’s plea.
A History of Heinous Crimes
The Unnao case began in June 2017, when the minor survivor was allegedly lured under the pretext of a job and raped at Sengar’s residence. On April 3, 2018, when the survivor’s family traveled to Unnao for a court hearing, her father was assaulted in public and subsequently arrested under the Arms Act. He died in police custody on April 9, 2018, reportedly from multiple injuries.
The FIRs were filed at the Makhi police station, Unnao. Concerned about a fair trial, the Supreme Court transferred the cases to Delhi in August 2019. The trial was conducted at Tis Hazari Courts, where Sengar was convicted for rape and later for conspiring in the custodial death of the survivor’s father. His brother, Atul Singh Sengar, and five others were also convicted.
Legal Proceedings and Defence Arguments
Sengar has been in custody since April 13, 2018. Senior advocates Siddharth Dave, Manish Vasisth, and Kanhaiya Singhal represented him in his plea for suspension of the 10-year sentence. They argued that Sengar had served over seven years and seven months of the sentence and cited alleged inconsistencies in witness statements and call detail records involving Sengar’s secretary. They also noted that during a brief interim suspension, he had not misused the liberty.
The Supreme Court pointed out that Sengar is serving a life sentence in another case and questioned the relevance of his arguments for suspension. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the main appeal against Sengar’s conviction is listed for February 11, 2026, and suggested that the High Court hear the matter expeditiously.
Advocate Mehmood Pracha, representing the survivor, opposed any relief. She highlighted that Sengar’s release would pose a threat to the victim and her family and that the survivor continues to face harassment and defamation online. Pracha has also filed an appeal to enhance Sengar’s sentence by converting the conviction from Section 304 to Section 302 IPC, which carries life imprisonment.
Judiciary Stands Firm
The Delhi High Court had previously rejected Sengar’s pleas for suspension of the sentence in June 2024 and again on January 19, 2026. The SC’s Monday order reinforced that procedural delays or attempts to manipulate the system will not result in leniency.
Justice Delayed Will Not Be Justice Denied
With the Supreme Court’s order, Sengar remains behind bars as the Delhi High Court prepares to hear both his appeal and the survivor’s appeal on an out-of-turn basis, to be completed within three months. The courts have made it clear that neither status nor influence can shield a convict from the full consequences of their actions.
Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s case assures the judiciary’s resolve to uphold the rule of law, ensure accountability, and deliver justice to victims of heinous crimes, even in the face of political power and repeated attempts to evade punishment.
