New Delhi: A protest was held outside the Delhi High Court on Friday following the court’s decision to suspend the sentence and grant bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA convicted in the Unnao rape case. The demonstration reflected renewed public anger and concern over the legal relief granted to Sengar, even as he continues to serve sentences in other connected cases.
The protesters, many of whom were women activists, gathered near the court premises holding placards and raising slogans demanding justice for the survivor. Chants such as “Balatkariyo ko sanrakshan dena band kro” (stop protecting rapists) echoed outside the court, underlining their opposition to what they described as a setback to the survivor’s long struggle for justice.
Participation by activists and survivor’s family
The protest saw participation from members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), social activist Yogita Bhayana, and the mother of the Unnao rape survivor. The presence of the survivor’s family added an emotional dimension to the demonstration, as they reiterated their anguish over the latest court order.
Speaking to reporters, the survivor’s mother said her daughter had endured immense physical and emotional suffering since the crime came to light. She expressed deep disappointment over the decision to suspend Sengar’s life sentence, stating that it had shaken her faith in the judicial process.
“I am not blaming the entire High Court, but only the two judges whose decision has shattered our trust,” she said, emphasising that earlier judicial orders had given her family a sense of justice and closure. According to her, the bail granted to Sengar amounted to an injustice to the survivor and her family.
Background of the High Court order
The Delhi High Court, earlier this week, ordered the release of Kuldeep Sengar on bail pending the disposal of his appeal against his conviction. Sengar was sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in December 2019 for raping the minor survivor in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.
While granting bail, the High Court imposed strict conditions on Sengar. The court directed that he must not enter within a five-kilometre radius of the survivor’s residence and must refrain from threatening or influencing the survivor or her mother in any manner. The court also made it clear that any violation of these conditions would automatically result in the cancellation of his bail.
The suspension of sentence was granted solely in connection with the rape conviction, and the court clarified that the bail was subject to the final outcome of Sengar’s appeal, which is still pending.
Continued incarceration in another case
Despite the bail order in the rape case, Sengar will not be released from prison immediately. He is also serving a separate 10-year sentence in connection with the custodial death of the survivor’s father, who died in April 2018 after allegedly being assaulted while in judicial custody.
In that case, Sengar has not been granted bail and will continue to remain in jail. Protesters, however, argued that even the suspension of sentence in the rape case sends a wrong message and undermines the seriousness of crimes against women.
Demand for Supreme Court intervention
The survivor’s mother said the family intends to challenge the High Court order before the Supreme Court. Expressing confidence in the apex court, she said she believed that justice would ultimately prevail.
“We will approach the Supreme Court, as I have faith in it,” she said, adding that her family would continue to fight until the survivor’s dignity and safety were fully protected.
Activists at the protest echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the case had become symbolic of the broader struggle against sexual violence and the misuse of power by influential individuals. They warned that granting bail to convicted persons in such high-profile cases could discourage survivors from coming forward.
Wider reactions and concerns
The bail granted to Sengar has sparked debate beyond the courtroom, with legal experts, activists and members of civil society expressing differing views. While some have pointed out that suspension of sentence pending appeal is a legal provision, others argue that such relief must be exercised with extreme caution in cases involving serious crimes like rape, especially where the survivor and her family have faced intimidation in the past.
The Unnao case had drawn national attention due to the survivor’s repeated allegations of harassment, threats and institutional apathy before justice was delivered. The case also exposed lapses in governance and law enforcement, leading to widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
Conclusion
The protest outside the Delhi High Court highlights the deep emotional and social impact of judicial decisions in cases involving crimes against women. While the legal process allows for appeals and suspension of sentences, the reaction on the ground reflects continuing public concern about survivor safety, accountability and faith in the justice system. As the family prepares to move the Supreme Court, the case once again brings into focus the delicate balance between legal procedure and public confidence in the rule of law.