Dr. Ishita Sengar, daughter of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, convicted in the 2017 Unnao rape case, shared her distress and diminishing faith in the justice system in an open letter on social media platform X. The letter, directed to the “Hon’ble Authorities of the Republic of India,” follows the Supreme Court’s decision to halt a Delhi High Court ruling that had temporarily released her father from a life sentence on bail.
Kuldeep Singh Sengar, previously expelled from the BJP, received a life imprisonment sentence in December 2019 for sexually assaulting a minor who sought employment in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. The case, which drew national attention in 2018, involved allegations of political interference, with the survivor’s father dying in custody and relatives perishing in a 2019 accident.
The Delhi High Court, on December 23, suspended the sentence pending an appeal, arguing that an MLA did not fall under the definition of a “public servant” as per pre-2019 POCSO Act regulations, thereby reducing the minimum penalty. This decision was contested by the CBI.
A Supreme Court vacation bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, intervened by staying the High Court’s ruling, citing significant legal uncertainties and the potential loophole that could exempt lawmakers from severe penalties by excluding them from the “public servant” category.
Despite the developments, Sengar remains incarcerated, also serving time for his involvement in the custodial death case. In her letter, Ishita recounted eight years of silent waiting, expressing her disappointment at being dehumanized and subjected to threats on social media due to her father’s status. She emphasized the family’s plea for justice, underscoring the need for a fair examination of evidence and the preservation of truth, even in the face of adversity.
The survivor’s family welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, with her mother expressing optimism for a just resolution. The case continues to spark discussions on procedural fairness, public outcry, and the accountability of individuals in positions of authority.
