CBI moves SC over Delhi HC order suspending Sengar’s life term
CBI moves SC over Delhi HC order suspending Sengar’s life term
The CBI challenges a Delhi High Court decision that suspended Kuldeep Sengar's life sentence in the Unnao rape case, as protests and legal battles unfold.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court, challenging a Delhi High Court order that suspended Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s life sentence in the Unnao rape case after he challenged his conviction. The High Court’s order dated December 23 granted conditional bail to Sengar pending disposal of his appeal, while noting that he would remain in jail because he is also convicted in a separate murder case. The move by the CBI comes after the agency studied the High Court’s decision and prepared to seek higher court intervention.
Sengar was convicted in December 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a fine of ₹25 lakh. He filed an appeal against the conviction in January 2020 and later sought suspension of the sentence in March 2022 before the Delhi High Court. The CBI, along with the survivor’s counsel, opposed the petition for suspension, arguing that releasing Sengar on bail while the appeal proceeds would undermine the gravitas of the case and the interests of justice. The Delhi High Court, however, allowed the suspension of the sentence under certain conditions, keeping the legal battle in motion.
Outside the Delhi High Court, protests continued from women activists and supporters who carried placards demanding swift, just outcomes for the survivor. Police asked protestors to vacate the premises, warning that legal action would follow if the gathering persisted. The scene outside the court reflects the high public attention and emotional resonance the case has held since its inception.
Mehmood Pracha, representing the survivor, indicated that preparations to approach the Supreme Court would proceed with a strong case, emphasizing that the CBI remains a central party in the dispute. Legal advocates linked to the case stressed that the outcome could set a precedent for how courts handle petitions seeking suspension of life sentences in serious crimes while appeals are ongoing. The Supreme Court’s forthcoming intervention will determine whether the Delhi High Court’s conditional bail stance stands or is modified as the central agency presses its challenge.
As the legal process unfolds, advocates caution that the stakes extend beyond custody to the integrity of the appeals process and the broader sense of justice for survivors of violence. The coming weeks are thus expected to bring a crucial ruling that could shape future treatment of similar cases in the Indian judiciary.
