The survivor of the horrific 2017 Unnao rape case has described the Delhi High Court's decision to grant relief to expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar as "kaal" (death) for her family. She has announced her intention to challenge the order in the Supreme Court.
A Verdict That Deepens Fear
The Delhi High Court recently decided to suspend the jail term of Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is serving a life sentence for the rape of the minor survivor in 2017. The court ordered his release on bail pending the disposal of his appeal against the conviction delivered by a trial court in December 2019.
However, the court imposed strict conditions, including that Sengar must not come within a 5-kilometre radius of the victim's residence and shall not threaten her or her mother. Any violation would lead to automatic cancellation of bail. It is crucial to note that Sengar will remain in jail as he is also serving a 10-year sentence in a separate case related to the custodial death of the victim's father, where he has not been granted bail.
Survivor's Anguish and Protest
Reacting to the verdict, the survivor expressed deep distress and fear for her family's security. She revealed that security for her family and other witnesses had already been withdrawn. "If the convict gets bail in a case like this, how will the country's daughters remain safe? For us, this decision is no less than 'kaal'," she stated. She lamented the perceived injustice, saying, "Those with money win, those without money lose."
The survivor, along with her mother, planned to stage a protest near Mandi House against the decision. In a related incident, women's rights activist Yogita Bhayana, who protested with the survivor's mother at India Gate, shared a video on X. In it, the survivor claimed that CRPF personnel initially tried to prevent her from meeting her lawyer but relented after her protests. "All I want is that justice should be done," she asserted in the video, also alleging that her mother was manhandled during the protest.
A senior police officer countered, stating that the protesters were removed from the site around 8.45 pm on Tuesday and placed in a CRPF bus, with no further action taken.
The Path Ahead: A Fight in the Apex Court
Undeterred, the survivor is determined to continue her legal battle. She confirmed that she is preparing to move the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court's order suspending Sengar's sentence. Her resolve highlights the ongoing struggle for justice in a case that shocked the nation, underscoring the challenges survivors face even after a conviction is secured.
