Supreme Court Postpones CBI's Appeal on Kuldeep Sengar's Bail in Unnao Rape Case
Synopsis
The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on a CBI plea challenging Kuldeep Singh Sengar's bail in the 2017 Unnao rape case, allowing the survivor's participation while denying a protection plea from her cousin.
Key Takeaways
The Supreme Court has postponed the CBI's challenge to Kuldeep Singh Sengar's bail.
The survivor has been granted the right to participate in the proceedings.
The court denied a protection plea from the survivor's cousin.
Sengar was initially sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes.
The case has raised significant public concern regarding women's safety.
New Delhi, March 9 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s challenge to the bail granted to the expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case.
Due to the absence of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, a bench consisting of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi decided to defer the hearing for two weeks.
Additionally, the apex court has accepted the survivor's application to be included in the proceedings, emphasizing her right to be heard concerning the CBI’s special leave petition (SLP).
However, the Chief Justice's bench dismissed an intervention application from the survivor’s cousin, who sought protection on the grounds of potential threats to his life and liberty if bail were granted to Sengar.
The Supreme Court remarked that the cousin should pursue an independent remedy, suggesting that the request for protection could be addressed in the appropriate High Court.
"Seek your independent remedy before the High Court for the protection of life and liberty," the bench stated while dismissing the intervention application filed by the minor son of the victim's paternal uncle.
During the concise hearing, senior advocate N. Hariharan, representing Sengar, requested the court to expedite the hearing, asserting that his client's liberty had been compromised following an earlier interim order from the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice responded that a date for the final hearing would be determined shortly.
This bench was evaluating the CBI’s petition against the Delhi High Court's December 2025 ruling, which had suspended Sengar's life sentence and granted him conditional bail while his appeal was underway. This bail decision sparked protests from the survivor’s family and women's rights activists, who argued it undermined public trust and conveyed a damaging message regarding crimes against women.
In December of the previous year, the Supreme Court had halted the implementation of the Delhi High Court’s ruling, clarifying that Sengar would not be released as a result of the contested judgment.
In December 2019, a trial court sentenced Sengar to life imprisonment for kidnapping and raping a minor girl, alongside a hefty fine of Rs 25 lakh. The Supreme Court had previously ordered the transfer of all related cases from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and mandated that the trial proceed on a day-to-day basis.
Point of View
Particularly on issues of women's safety and rights.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Unnao rape case?
The Unnao rape case refers to the 2017 incident where Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a BJP leader, was accused of kidnapping and raping a minor girl in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.
What has the Supreme Court decided regarding Kuldeep Sengar's bail?
The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing on the CBI's appeal against Sengar's bail and has allowed the survivor to participate in the proceedings.
Why was the hearing adjourned?
The hearing was postponed due to the non-availability of the Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta.
What was the reaction to Sengar's bail?
The bail order prompted protests from the survivor's family and women's rights activists, who expressed concerns about public trust in the justice system.
What is the next step in this case?
The Supreme Court will fix a date for the final hearing in the coming weeks.
