Protests outside Delhi High Court against bail to Kuldeep Sengar in Unnao rape case
New Delhi: Protests broke out outside the Delhi High Court on Friday after the court granted conditional bail to expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. Demonstrators gathered near the court premises, raising slogans and demanding that the bail order be withdrawn.
The protest followed the High Court’s decision to suspend Sengar’s life sentence, a move that has drawn strong reactions from the survivor, her family and women’s rights activists. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the survivor said she was distressed by the order and felt unsafe after learning that Sengar had been granted bail.
The survivor’s mother told ANI that the family would approach the Supreme Court to challenge the decision, stating that they had lost faith in the High Court. She said the family was determined to continue its legal fight and expressed anguish over bail being granted to a person convicted of rape and linked to other serious criminal cases.
Police personnel were deployed around the court complex and were seen asking protesters to disperse, warning of legal action if the gathering continued. Visuals shared by news agencies showed security officials urging demonstrators to clear the area.
Women’s rights activist Yogita Bhayana, who participated in the protest, said the decision had caused widespread anger and pain among women. She said protesters had assembled at the court to voice their opposition and demand justice for the survivor.
Several protesters questioned the basis on which bail was granted, noting that Sengar had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. They said the decision sent a troubling message about women’s safety and accountability in cases of sexual violence.
Sengar was convicted in December 2019 for the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district in 2017 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. The Delhi High Court, while suspending his sentence earlier this week, observed that he had already served more than the maximum punishment prescribed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The survivor also referred to past incidents, including a 2019 car accident in which two of her relatives and her lawyer were killed, alleging that Sengar had earlier used associates to intimidate and target her family.
Now 24 and living in Delhi, the survivor has been provided court-mandated security following the bail order and is accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force personnel. Her mother said, however, that security cover earlier provided to her and her three children had been withdrawn earlier this year, adding to the family’s sense of insecurity.
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Siddaramaiah dares Karnataka BJP leaders to question Centre over hike in railway fares
Davangere: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday criticised the Central government for increasing railway passenger fares, saying the hike has added to the financial burden on the common people, while BJP leaders in the state have failed to question the move.
Speaking to the media in Davangere, Siddaramaiah said the Centre had raised train travel fares, but leaders of the BJP in Karnataka were silent on an issue that directly affects ordinary citizens.
ALSO READ: Chitradurga bus accident: Driver succumbs to injuries in Hubballi hospital
Responding to questions about the bus and truck collision near Hiriyur in Chitradurga district, the Chief Minister said preliminary information from the police indicated that the truck driver was at fault. According to initial findings, the truck, which was coming from the opposite direction, crossed the divider and rammed into the bus.
He said the accident had claimed the lives of four women, a child, and the truck driver. Emphasising the need for strict adherence to safety norms, Siddaramaiah said all buses must follow safety measures without exception. He added that a detailed investigation into the accident would be conducted.
The Chief Minister also said he would be leaving for New Delhi later in the day to attend the Congress party’s executive committee meeting.
