The family of the young woman who was brutally raped in Unnao in 2017 staged a powerful demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Friday. Their protest was a direct response to the recent suspension of the life sentence handed to the main convict, former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.
Family's Anguish and Demands
Carrying placards and raising slogans, the victim's mother and other family members voiced their deep distress and anger. They expressed a profound sense of betrayal by the justice system. The core of their demand was clear: they want the Supreme Court to intervene and revoke the suspension of Sengar's sentence. They fear that his temporary freedom could allow him to influence the ongoing legal proceedings or intimidate the family and witnesses.
The protest highlighted the family's long and traumatic journey. The victim was kidnapped and raped by Sengar in June 2017 when she was a minor. The case saw horrific twists, including a car crash in July 2019 that was allegedly staged to kill the victim and her family. The victim's two aunts died in that crash, and she herself suffered severe injuries.
Legal Timeline and Recent Development
Kuldeep Sengar was convicted in December 2019 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was also found guilty in the separate case related to the death of the victim's father in custody. However, in a significant turn of events, the Supreme Court recently suspended his life sentence and ordered his release on bail. This decision was based on factors including his conduct in jail and the time he had already served.
This legal relief for Sengar has reopened old wounds for the victim's family. They see it as a major setback in their fight for justice, which has already spanned over seven painful years. The protest at Jantar Mantar was their way of bringing public attention back to their plight and putting pressure on the highest court to reconsider.
A Call for Supreme Court Intervention
The family's appeal is now squarely directed at the Supreme Court of India. They are pleading for the court to hear their concerns and cancel the bail granted to Sengar. Their protest underscores a critical question in the Indian judicial system: the balance between legal provisions for sentence suspension and the imperative to deliver justice that feels secure and complete to victims, especially in cases involving powerful individuals.
The Jantar Mantar protest serves as a stark reminder that for victims of heinous crimes, the legal battle does not end with a conviction. Delays, appeals, and procedural decisions can continuously re-traumatize them. The family's stand aims to ensure that the hard-won conviction is not diluted and that Sengar serves the full term of his punishment as mandated by the trial court.
