Protests broke out at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Sunday after the Delhi High Court granted bail to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case, a decision that has sparked outrage among women’s rights groups and the survivor’s family. The survivor, along with activists and members of Left-leaning student organisations, gathered to condemn the court’s order, warning that it jeopardises both justice and her personal safety. Demonstrators held placards, raised slogans and accused the authorities of failing to protect the survivor despite the gravity of the case.
Speaking at the protest, the survivor said the bail order had effectively stalled the punishment of Sengar and reopened old wounds. She alleged that the decision had emboldened those who had previously tried to harm her and her family. Claiming that powerful interests were working against her, she said that Sengar’s family members were now meeting him in jail and that a contract worth ₹1 crore had allegedly been given to eliminate her and her relatives. She further claimed that the judicial process and even the investigation had been compromised. Appealing directly to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, she urged him to ensure adequate security so she could continue her legal battle without fear.
Her mother, visibly emotional while addressing the media, said the family had once again been forced to take to the streets in search of justice. She expressed deep mistrust in the High Court’s decision and said her faith now rested only with the Supreme Court. Recalling the death of her husband, she said the family had already suffered irreparable loss and now feared for their lives. She also alleged that their security cover had been withdrawn and claimed that several people had been sent to threaten or kill them. “They want to finish off my entire family,” she said, breaking down as she spoke.
Women’s rights activist Yogita Behna said the bail order had left the survivor with no option but to protest publicly once again. She stated that the decision had shaken faith in the justice system and that only the Supreme Court could now offer relief. According to her, the survivor was being forced back onto the streets to demand protection and accountability, even after years of legal struggle and suffering.
The Unnao rape case dates back to 2017, when a minor girl accused then BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar of raping her in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district. The case drew nationwide attention after allegations surfaced that the local police initially refused to register a complaint and that the survivor and her family were subjected to continuous threats and harassment. In a desperate bid to draw attention to her plight, the survivor attempted self-immolation outside the Chief Minister’s residence in 2018, which triggered widespread outrage and protests.
Following mounting public pressure, the investigation was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Supreme Court transferred the trial from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi to ensure a fair and impartial process. In 2019, a Delhi court convicted Sengar of rape and sentenced him to life imprisonment. He was also convicted in separate cases related to the custodial death of the survivor’s father and attempts to influence witnesses. Several of his associates and family members were also found guilty in connected cases.
The controversy resurfaced after the Delhi High Court recently granted Sengar bail, citing the period of incarceration already served and other legal considerations. The decision has been sharply criticised by activists and the survivor’s family, who argue that it undermines justice in a case marked by intimidation, abuse of power and prolonged suffering.
The CBI has challenged the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court, describing it as legally flawed and contrary to established principles. In its petition, the agency argued that the High Court erred in holding that Sengar was not a public servant under the POCSO Act. The CBI maintained that as a sitting MLA at the time of the offence, Sengar was undeniably a public servant entrusted with public responsibility. It also warned that his release posed a serious threat to the survivor and her family, given his influence and resources.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the CBI’s appeal on Monday, with a special three-judge bench set to examine the matter. The agency has sought a stay on the High Court’s order, reiterating that once a person is convicted, imprisonment is the norm and bail should be an exception. For now, Sengar remains in jail as he continues to serve a separate 10-year sentence in another CBI case, even as the legal battle over his bail continues to intensify.
