Supreme Court stays Delhi High Court orders in Unnao rape case

The Supreme Court of India on Monday stayed the order of the Delhi High Court that had set aside the life sentence awarded to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case.

Acting on a petition filed by the CBI challenging the High Court’s decision, the Supreme Court issued notices to Sengar and directed him to submit his response within four weeks.

The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, observed that there is ambiguity regarding the definition of a “public servant” under the POCSO Act. The court also made it clear that there was no question of violation of personal liberty in this matter.

The court noted that Kuldeep Singh Sengar continues to remain in jail and is currently serving his sentence in connection with the custodial death of the rape survivor’s father. The Supreme Court also allowed the Unnao rape survivor to intervene in the case.