The Unnao rape survivor on Wednesday said it was the thought of her children that stopped her from committing suicide after the Delhi High Court suspended the jail sentence of the convict and expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar.
Speaking to PTI Videos, the survivor said the court’s decision caused her immense pain and distress. “If I was not married and did not have children, I would have committed suicide in front of the judge. The judge did not see the victim and gave the judgment,” she said.
‘Ready to go to jail for safety’
The survivor said she feared for her safety if Sengar were to be released and made a stark statement that she was prepared to spend time in prison herself. “If the convict is being released from jail, then we should be sent to jail. If he comes out, I will complete the tenure on his behalf. At least we will be safe,” she said, adding that while they might be unemployed, they would at least have food and security.
Wants to meet President Murmu
Expressing anguish over the verdict, the survivor said she wished to meet Droupadi Murmu to convey the emotional trauma she is undergoing following the high court order.
Her mother said their legal team would move the Supreme Court of India against the high court’s decision. “We have faith in the Supreme Court and hope it will deliver justice,” she said.
Family alleges continued threats
The survivor’s sister claimed that their uncle continued to receive threats and recalled the family’s suffering, including the custodial death of their father. She said the family felt abandoned despite years of struggle for justice.
Bail order with strict conditions
On Tuesday, the high court ordered Sengar’s release on bail while his appeal against the 2019 trial court conviction is pending. The court directed that he must not enter a five-kilometre radius of the survivor’s residence or threaten her or her mother, warning that any violation would lead to automatic cancellation of bail.
However, Sengar will remain in jail as he is also serving a 10-year sentence in connection with the custodial death of the survivor’s father and has not been granted bail in that case.