English
English
English
Delhi High Court dealt a major blow to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, rejecting his plea to suspend his 10-year sentence in the Unnao custodial death case. With past relief attempts blocked and appeals pending, what could be his next legal move?
Delhi High Court Turns Down Kuldeep Sengar's Plea For Suspension Of Sentence In Unnao Rape Case
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s plea seeking suspension of his 10-year sentence in the custodial death of the Unnao rape victim’s father, dealing him a significant blow. This marks his second failed attempt to obtain relief from the judiciary in this high-profile case.
In April 2018, the minor rape victim’s family had travelled to Unnao for a court hearing when her father was allegedly attacked in broad daylight by individuals linked to the accused. The following day, the police arrested him on charges of illegal possession of arms. He later died due to severe injuries sustained in custody.
Unnao Case: 10 arguments Sengar daughter Aishwarya and Ishita fight to defend father
The trial of five related cases, including the custodial death case, was transferred from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi by the Supreme Court in August 2019. Sengar was convicted of rape in December 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was also convicted in March 2020 for his role in the victim’s father’s death.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja, hearing the matter, dismissed Sengar’s plea, noting his criminal history and absence of any new developments that could justify suspension of the sentence. The court acknowledged that Sengar has spent around 7.5 years in incarceration but pointed out that delays in hearing his appeal were partly caused by multiple applications filed by him seeking suspension.
The judge emphasized that Sengar’s pending appeals must be heard expeditiously and on merit, signaling the court’s intention to balance procedural fairness with accountability.
Unnao Rape Case: Supreme Court stays Delhi HC order; Sengar will remain in jail
Earlier, a division bench of the Delhi High Court had temporarily suspended Sengar’s sentence in the rape case. However, the Supreme Court quickly stayed that order, reinforcing that the judiciary is closely monitoring all proceedings in this case.
With the latest order, Sengar will continue serving his sentence in the custodial death case. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s stance against delays in high-profile cases involving sexual assault and custodial deaths. Legal experts say the decision reaffirms the courts’ commitment to ensuring justice while discouraging repeated procedural tactics by convicted individuals.
The case continues to attract national attention, reflecting ongoing public concern over accountability and the handling of serious crimes in India.
