The Supreme Court refused to intervene in the Delhi High Court’s decision not to suspend the sentence of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the custodial death case of the Unnao rape survivor’s father. Sengar’s criminal appeal against his conviction and 10-year sentence is scheduled for a hearing before the Delhi High Court on February 11. The victim’s side has also filed an appeal challenging the trial court’s judgment on the sentence.
The Supreme Court clarified that it was not expressing any opinion on the victim’s appeal since it was not mentioned in the Delhi High Court’s order. The Court requested the Delhi High Court to prioritize hearing Sengar’s appeal within a week and make efforts to decide the case promptly, preferably within three months. It suggested that all related appeals, if found maintainable, should be heard and decided together for the interest of justice.
Sengar’s plea for suspension of sentence and bail was rejected by the Delhi High Court citing the seriousness of the offense, his criminal history, and the lack of new developments. Sengar, convicted in March 2020 for his involvement in the custodial death of the rape survivor’s father, argued in his petition that he had already served over seven years and seven months in custody. The incident dates back to April 2018 when the victim’s father was allegedly assaulted by Sengar’s associates in Unnao.
