The survivor of the horrific 2017 Unnao rape case has made a desperate public appeal for safety and support. She alleges that the daughters of convicted former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar and their supporters are systematically "exposing" her identity on social media platforms, putting her and her family at grave risk.
A Desperate Video Appeal for Safety
In a heartfelt video message released on Saturday, the survivor stated that for several days, her private identity has been targeted online. "Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s two daughters and their supporters have, for the past few days, been exposing my identity on social media," she said. She expressed her distress at seeing her personal details and photos circulated widely on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
This incident follows a formal application she submitted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on January 5. In her complaint, she alleged that her private posts were being deliberately shared online to reveal her identity and intimidate her. "If videos of girls like me are being posted on social media, the intent behind that is to trouble them," she told ANI after meeting CBI officials.
The survivor fears for her long-term security and that of her children. "I have a lifelong threat now, my children can be harmed; my family is under threat...With folded hands, I urge the home minister and CM to take action," she pleaded. She added that the CBI has assured her of appropriate action on her complaint.
Legal Battle: Supreme Court Intervenes
The survivor's plea comes amidst intense legal developments in the case. On December 29, the Supreme Court stayed a Delhi High Court order that had suspended Sengar’s life sentence and granted him bail. The apex court explicitly directed that he shall not be released from custody.
A three-judge vacation bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, was hearing the CBI’s challenge to the high court’s December 23 order. Arguing for the CBI, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to stay the bail, terming it a "horrific rape" of a minor. He emphasized the state's responsibility, noting, "We are answerable to the child who was (aged) 15 years and 10 months," and highlighted Sengar's powerful position as an MLA at the time of the crime.
The Delhi High Court had granted bail to Sengar, who has served over seven years in prison, while questioning whether an elected representative fits the definition of a "public servant" under the IPC for POCSO Act purposes. Its order had included strict conditions like not threatening the survivor. This decision had sparked protests from the survivor, her family, and activists.
Reactions from Both Sides
Following the Supreme Court's stay, Ishita Sengar, the convict's daughter, wrote an open letter expressing her family's anguish. She described feeling "exhausted, frightened and slowly losing faith" after eight years of legal battle. "Over these years, I have been told countless times on social media that I should be raped, killed, or punished simply for existing… It is daily. It is relentless," she wrote.
In contrast, the survivor's mother welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to keep Sengar in custody and reiterated her demand for complete justice for her daughter.
Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a former Uttar Pradesh MLA, was convicted in December 2019 for the rape and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh. The case continues to highlight the ongoing challenges survivors face in seeking justice and safety long after the verdict.
