Delhi, 26 December (H.S.): A protest was held outside the Delhi High Court on Friday against the suspension of the sentence of Kuldeep Sengar, who was convicted in the Unnao rape case.

The protesters, holding placards and raising slogans demanding strict action against rape convicts, expressed solidarity with the Unnao rape survivor. The demonstration was led by women activists from the All India Democratic Women’s Association along with social activist Yogita Bhayana and the survivor’s mother.

Addressing the protest, the survivor’s mother said she had come to the high court as her daughter had suffered immense trauma and injustice. She said the suspension of the sentence had shaken the family’s faith, adding that earlier judicial decisions had provided them justice but the accused had now been granted bail. She stated that the family would approach the Supreme Court, expressing faith in the apex court.

Earlier this week, the Delhi High Court ordered the release of Sengar on bail pending disposal of his appeal against the conviction awarded by a trial court in December 2019. The court directed that Sengar shall not enter within a five-kilometre radius of the survivor’s residence or threaten the survivor or her mother, warning that any violation would lead to automatic cancellation of bail.

However, Sengar will continue to remain in jail as he is serving a separate 10-year sentence in connection with the custodial death of the survivor’s father and has not been granted bail in that case.

Police present at the site cautioned the protesters that demonstrations were not permitted at the location and warned of strict action, asking them to move the protest to Jantar Mantar.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar