The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a crucial plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday. The probe agency is challenging the suspension of the sentence awarded to former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the notorious Unnao rape case. This development marks a significant turn in the long-running legal battle for justice.
Background of the Unnao Rape Case
The case dates back to 2017, when a minor girl from Unnao district in Uttar Pradesh accused the then-powerful MLA, Kuldeep Sengar, of rape. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and led to a massive public and legal upheaval. Following immense pressure, the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2018.
In a landmark verdict in December 2019, a Delhi court convicted Sengar for the rape of the minor and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25 lakh on him, which was to be paid to the survivor. The conviction was widely seen as a rare instance of a powerful politician being held accountable for a heinous crime.
The Controversial Suspension of Sentence
In March 2020, the Delhi High Court suspended Sengar's sentence, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a primary reason. The court granted him bail and ordered his release from jail. This decision was met with severe criticism from the survivor's family, legal experts, and the public, who viewed it as a dilution of justice.
The Central Bureau of Investigation, which had prosecuted the case, moved the Supreme Court against this suspension. The agency argued that the grounds for suspending the life sentence of a convict in such a serious crime were not justified. The apex court has now listed the matter for a hearing on Monday, July 1st.
Legal Proceedings and Upcoming Hearing
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, will take up the CBI's special leave petition. The hearing is scheduled for Monday, July 1, 2024. The outcome of this hearing could have major implications, potentially leading to Sengar being sent back to prison to serve the remainder of his life term.
This case has been fraught with tragedy beyond the initial crime. The survivor was severely injured in a suspicious car accident in July 2019, which also claimed the lives of two of her aunts. Her lawyer was also injured in the same accident. These events led to further investigations and added layers of complexity to an already grim narrative.
The Supreme Court's intervention and its decision on Monday will be closely watched. It represents not just a legal technicality regarding sentence suspension, but a broader test of the judicial system's resolve in upholding convictions in cases of sexual violence against women, especially those involving influential individuals.
