The survivor of the horrific 2017 Unnao rape case has voiced deep-seated fear for the safety of her children. This comes in the wake of the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend the life sentence of expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar.
Survivor's Anguish and Plea for Justice
Reacting to the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) petition before the Supreme Court, the survivor told ANI that she still has faith in the apex court to deliver justice. "I am raising the voice of every woman," she stated, while questioning the timing of the CBI's actions. She asserted that had the agency acted sooner, Sengar's bail would have been rejected.
Recounting the ordeal her family has endured, she highlighted the tragic chain of events: "He raped me. My father was killed. My family members were killed." She further detailed the removal of security for her family and witnesses, and mentioned that her husband was fired from his job. The core of her current terror revolves around her children, whom she now deems unsafe even at home.
Legal Timeline and Court Proceedings
The legal battle is set for a crucial hearing. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the CBI's plea challenging the High Court order on December 29. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices J K Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih, will take up the matter.
This development follows the Delhi High Court's order on December 23, which suspended Sengar's life sentence. The court noted that he had already served seven years and five months in prison. This suspension will remain effective while his appeal against the conviction is pending. The CBI moved the Supreme Court against this order on December 26.
Separately, the Supreme Court will also hear a petition filed by advocates Anjale Patel and Pooja Shilpkar, challenging the High Court's decision to grant bail to Sengar.
Conditions of Bail and Ongoing Incarceration
It is important to note that while the High Court granted bail in the rape case, Kuldeep Sengar will continue to remain in jail. This is because he is currently serving a separate 10-year sentence in a CBI case related to the custodial death of the survivor's father. His appeal in that case is also pending.
The High Court imposed strict conditions for his bail in the rape case, which include:
- A personal bond of Rs 15 lakh with three sureties.
- A direction not to enter a 5-kilometer radius of the survivor's residence in Delhi.
- A strict bar on threatening the survivor or her mother.
Sengar was originally convicted in December 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh. The survivor's latest statements underscore the prolonged trauma and ongoing security concerns that persist despite the legal convictions.
