New Delhi, 25 December (H.S.): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will move the Supreme Court of India against the Delhi High Court’s decision to suspend the sentence of former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the sensational Unnao rape case.

According to a CBI spokesperson, the agency has reviewed the Delhi High Court’s order and decided to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court challenging the suspension of Sengar’s sentence and the grant of bail. The CBI stated that it had strongly opposed Sengar’s bail plea before the High Court during the hearings.

The spokesperson said the agency had submitted timely written responses and detailed arguments, highlighting the seriousness of the offence and the potential threats arising from Sengar’s release on bail.The family of the survivor has also expressed deep concern over the court’s decision, saying that granting bail to Sengar—convicted in the 2017 case involving the sexual assault of a minor girl—poses a serious threat to their safety. They fear that their security could be compromised if Sengar is allowed to remain out of custody, and that the judicial process already delayed might face further obstacles.

The family has consistently opposed the move, citing continuous intimidation and fear of retaliation.

The Unnao rape case, which came to light in 2017, sent shockwaves across the nation. Following a prolonged trial, in 2019, Sengar was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court for the sexual assault of a minor.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar