The Delhi High Court Suspended the Jail term of Sengar, Saying He had Already Served Seven Years and Five Months in Prison

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The Unnao rape case took a dramatic turn as the Supreme Court stepped in to block bail relief for the convict, Kuldeep Sengar. The Supreme Court also issued a notice to the expelled BJP leader on the CBI’s plea challenging the order that suspended his life sentence.

Sengar was convicted in December 2019 in the Unnao rape case and handed life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 25 lakh.

Unnao Rape Case Hearing Update

The Supreme Court on Monday (December 29, 2025) stayed the Delhi High Court's order that suspended ex-BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's life sentence and granted him bail in the Unnao rape case.

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CJI Surya Kant said: “…In view of peculiar facts where convict is convicted for a separate offence, we stay operation of Delhi high court order dated December 23, 2025. Thus respondent (Sengar) shall not be released pursuant to the said order.”

On December 23, the Delhi high court put Sengar’s jail sentence on hold while his appeal was pending, saying that he had already spent seven years and five months in prison, and granted him conditional bail.

Notably, the high court ruled that Sengar could not be treated as a public servant under Section 5(c) of the POCSO Act or Section 376(2)(b) of the IPC. This led the CBI to move to the Supreme Court.

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Accused Found Both Guilty & Non-Guilty

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, stated the punishment for penetrative sexual assault provided in Section 5 of the POCSO. 

“This is punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which not less than 20 years and extend to imprisonment for the remainder of natural life of the convict or with death,” Mr Mehta said. 

“Fortunately, Sengar was found guilty of killing the victim’s father and has not been able to come out,” Mr Mehta pointed out to the court. He also highlighted that Sengar was an MLA of the area and was very powerful.

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The former BJP MLA will remain in jail as he is also serving a 10-year term for the custodial death of the rape survivor’s father.

Daughter of Accused Demands Peace

Aishwarya Sengar, daughter of Kuldeep Sengar, in a post on X said, “I humbly request all the people of Unnao to please refrain from resorting to any kind of protest. You are our family, and in this difficult time, we must not lose patience. We have complete faith in the judicial process. Your restraint and blessings give us strength.”

Protest against HC’s Order

The high court’s order led to massive protests, in which the survivor also joined to demand justice.

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The survivor said she believes she would receive justice from the Supreme Court. While speaking at a protest organized by the All India Progressive Women Association (AIPWA) in the national capital, she alleged that Sengar had paid bribes to officials, including the CBI investigating officer and a Delhi high court judge.

During the protest, the demonstrators shouted slogans against what they called undue leniency shown to the convict, saying the steps taken so far did not meet public expectations.