Supreme Court Denies Immediate Relief to Kuldeep Sengar in Unnao Custodial Death Case
SC Denies Immediate Relief to Kuldeep Sengar in Unnao Case

Supreme Court Denies Immediate Relief to Kuldeep Sengar in Unnao Custodial Death Case

The Supreme Court of India on Monday declined to grant immediate relief to former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is currently serving a sentence as a rape convict. The case pertains to the custodial death of the father of the Unnao rape victim. However, in a significant procedural move, the apex court has requested the Delhi High Court to expedite the hearing of Sengar's plea seeking suspension of his sentence and bail.

Court Directs Expedited Hearing Within Three Months

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant explicitly asked the Delhi High Court to complete the proceedings within a strict timeframe of three months. The Supreme Court stated, "We deem it a fit case to request the High Court to hear the appeal and decide the same but not later than three months." This directive underscores the judiciary's intent to ensure timely justice while maintaining due process, without providing Sengar with any immediate reprieve from his current incarceration.

Background: Bail Denial and Case Origins

This development follows closely on the heels of the Delhi High Court's recent denial of bail to Sengar in the same custodial death case. The legal proceedings stem from First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged in 2018 at the Makhi police station in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. These cases were subsequently tried by the District and Sessions Judge (West) at the Tis Hazari Courts in Delhi, highlighting the transfer of jurisdiction due to the sensitivity and high-profile nature of the incidents.

Chronology of the Unnao Rape and Custodial Death Incidents

According to the prosecution's account:

  1. On June 4, 2017, the minor survivor was allegedly lured under the pretext of a job offer and subsequently raped at Kuldeep Singh Sengar's residence.
  2. On April 3, 2018, when the survivor's family traveled to Unnao for a court hearing related to the rape case, her father was allegedly assaulted in public.
  3. The following day, April 4, 2018, he was arrested on charges under the Arms Act.
  4. Tragically, he died in police custody on April 9, 2018, with reports indicating that multiple injuries were the cause of death.

The Supreme Court's decision to defer to the Delhi High Court for the bail hearing, while setting a three-month deadline, reflects a balanced approach to judicial review. It ensures that Sengar's legal rights to appeal are respected, but without granting him any immediate relief that could be perceived as leniency. The case continues to draw significant public and media attention, underscoring broader issues of justice, accountability, and the protection of victims' families in high-stakes legal battles.