Intense protests erupted in Delhi on Friday, December 26, 2025, following a controversial decision by the High Court to grant conditional bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the convicted rapist in the high-profile Unnao case. The move has reignited public outrage and drawn sharp condemnation from the survivor's family and women's rights activists across the nation.
Bail Order Revives Fear and Trauma for Survivor's Family
The court's decision to suspend Sengar's life sentence has sent shockwaves through the survivor's family, who say it has brutally revived the fear and trauma associated with the past violence and intimidation they endured. The survivor's mother made an emotional public appeal, demanding capital punishment for the former BJP MLA. She stated that justice has repeatedly failed her family, highlighting a pattern of systemic failure.
Despite the bail conditions barring Sengar from approaching the survivor, the family remains terrified. They cited past incidents where they believe his influence led to deadly consequences, including a car crash that severely injured the survivor and her lawyer, and the death of her father in custody. The mother also revealed that while the survivor continues to have CRPF protection, security for other family members was withdrawn earlier in the year, leaving them feeling vulnerable.
Activists and Protesters Question the Judicial Decision
The protests in the capital saw strong participation from women's rights groups and citizens who gathered to voice their dissent. The core question raised by the demonstrators was how a life sentence could be suspended in a case that has become a national symbol of brutality, abuse of power, and the failure of protective institutions.
Protesters argued that granting bail to a convict in such a sensitive case undermines the very essence of justice and sends a dangerous message about the accountability of powerful individuals. The Unnao rape case is not just an isolated crime but a stark reminder of the challenges faced by victims seeking justice against influential perpetrators.
A Look Back at the Case and Its Lasting Impact
The Unnao rape case, which came to light in 2018, involved a minor girl who was allegedly raped by Kuldeep Sengar in 2017. The case exposed a harrowing tale of intimidation, with the victim's father being brutally beaten and dying in judicial custody. Later, the survivor and her lawyer were critically injured in a suspicious car accident.
Sengar, a four-time MLA, was expelled by the BJP after public pressure mounted. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and murder under the POCSO Act. The recent bail order, dated December 26, 2025, has now thrown the spotlight back on the long legal battle fought by the survivor and the persistent fears her family lives with.
The public outcry underscores a deep-seated anxiety about the safety of survivors and the efficacy of the justice system in delivering timely and unequivocal punishment in cases involving powerful accused. The nation watches closely as the legal proceedings continue, hoping for a resolution that truly delivers justice and restores faith.
