New Delhi, Dec 29 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Supreme Court has put a hold on the bail previously granted to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the convicted Unnao rape case offender and former UP MLA. The survivor expressed her firm stance on Monday, insisting that only a death penalty for Sengar would bring justice for her father.

In an interview with IANS, the survivor revealed that she has yet to conduct the 'terahvin' (final funeral rites) for her father.

“My father was murdered in 2018, and since then, his spirit has remained restless. He will find peace only when the rapist and his accomplices are executed. Only then will my father attain justice,” she stated.

Besides the rape incident, Sengar faces allegations related to the death of the survivor's father in 2018, for which he has been convicted.

The victim expressed her unwavering faith in the Supreme Court, believing that justice would eventually be served.

“I trust the Supreme Court and will hold onto that belief. I am unsure what the judge was thinking when bail was granted. Only the judge understands the degree of leniency extended to him,” she remarked to IANS.

She further emphasized the disparity in treatment, stating, “There was excessive sympathy shown to the accused while the victim suffers in silence. The law must apply equally to all.”

Grateful for the support she has received, the survivor said, “I am thankful to everyone who has stood with me in my pursuit of justice.”

Reiterating her determination, she added, “I believed in the Supreme Court's ability to deliver justice. My struggle is far from over, and I will not stop until he receives the death penalty. Only then can my father and I find justice.”

The survivor’s mother also expressed gratitude towards the Supreme Court for its intervention. “I am thankful to the Supreme Court. The court convened to hear our case, and we are deeply appreciative of that. I want to thank the Supreme Court for pursuing justice on our behalf,” she said.

Earlier, the Supreme Court suspended the Delhi High Court's order that had granted bail to the expelled BJP leader Sengar in relation to the 2017 Unnao rape case.

“We acknowledge that ordinarily, this court does not stay such orders without hearing from the involved parties. However, given the unique circumstances, where the convict has been sentenced for a separate offense, we decided to stay the Delhi High Court's order,” stated a three-judge panel led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant.

The bench, which included Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih, issued a notice to Sengar regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) appeal and directed the submission of a counter-affidavit within four weeks.

The apex court clarified that Sengar would not be released under the contested order from the Delhi High Court.

The CJI-led Bench agreed to consider the Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta's argument, which contended that the Delhi High Court’s interpretation could lead to a police constable being classified as a “public servant” under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, while legislative members would be excluded.

Representing the CBI, SG Mehta remarked that the Delhi High Court “made a mistake” in determining that a legislator would not fit the category of a “public servant” for sentencing.

Pointing to the trial court’s conviction order, the SG noted that the victim was under the age of 16—approximately 15 years and 10 months—when the rape occurred.

He further asserted that Sengar cannot be released as he is already serving a separate 10-year sentence linked to the murder of the survivor’s father in 2018. “This convict has been found guilty of murdering the survivor’s father. He remains incarcerated for that. I implore the court to stay this order in light of the child who was victimized,” he urged.

The Supreme Court's order specified that the survivor may file a special leave petition (SLP) if needed, and the SC Legal Services Committee would provide legal aid.