Kuldeep Sengar suffers setback in Unnao rape case, Delhi High Court refuses to suspend 10-year sentence

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) – Former Unnao MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is serving a sentence in the Unnao rape case, has received a major setback from the Delhi High Court. On Monday, the High Court rejected Sengar's pleas seeking a stay on his sentence and seeking bail. The court's decision makes it clear that Kuldeep Singh Sengar will remain in jail for the time being.

The case relates to the mysterious custodial death of the father of the Unnao rape victim, in which Kuldeep Singh Sengar was convicted. Sengar is serving a 10-year sentence in the case and has filed an appeal against his conviction.

During the hearing on Monday, the Delhi High Court made it clear in its order that Kuldeep Singh Sengar cannot be granted bail in this case, given his criminal record. The court stated that this is a serious matter and the accused's prior criminal history cannot be ignored. The court also stated that it would be in Sengar's best interest if the appeal against his conviction is decided expeditiously.

According to the court, Kuldeep Singh Sengar has already served approximately 7.5 years of his 10-year sentence in custody. Despite this, his appeal has not yet been finalized. The High Court also noted that Kuldeep Singh Sengar himself is partly responsible for the delay in the appeal's disposal, as he filed numerous petitions from time to time.

It should be noted that former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, convicted in the Unnao rape case, was granted bail by the Delhi High Court on December 23. The CBI challenged this High Court order in the Supreme Court. Earlier, while hearing the CBI's petition, the Supreme Court had stayed Sengar's bail.

The Unnao rape case sparked widespread outrage across the country. In December 2019, the trial court convicted Sengar of kidnapping and raping a minor girl and sentenced him to life in prison, along with a fine of ₹2.5 million.