Supreme Court Reinstates Kuldeep Sengar's Sentence in Unnao Rape Case
Unnao rape case: SC sets aside Delhi HC order suspending Kuldeep Sengar’s sentence
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
The Supreme Court of India has overturned a Delhi High Court decision that suspended the life sentence of Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a former legislator convicted in the 2017 Unnao rape case. The court directed the High Court to expedite Sengar's appeal against conviction, emphasizing the importance of protecting children under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).
- 01The Supreme Court criticized the Delhi High Court's 'hyper-technical view' that Sengar was not a public servant under the POCSO Act.
- 02Sengar was convicted in 2019 for aggravated penetrative sexual assault and sentenced to life imprisonment.
- 03The Supreme Court ordered the Delhi High Court to decide Sengar's appeal within two months.
- 04The court emphasized that elected representatives like MLAs occupy a dominant position and should be treated as public servants under the POCSO Act.
- 05Sengar is also serving a separate 10-year sentence related to the custodial death of the Unnao rape survivor's father.
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On Friday, the Supreme Court of India set aside a Delhi High Court order that had suspended the life sentence of Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a former legislator from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), convicted in the 2017 Unnao rape case. The Supreme Court expressed disapproval of the High Court's 'hyper-technical view' that Sengar did not qualify as a public servant under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, mandated that the Delhi High Court expedite Sengar's appeal against conviction, ideally within two months. If the appeal cannot be heard promptly, the High Court should reconsider Sengar's plea for suspension of sentence before the summer vacation. The Supreme Court highlighted the significance of protecting children from sexual exploitation, asserting that elected officials like MLAs hold a dominant position that warrants their classification as public servants. Sengar was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019 for aggravated penetrative sexual assault and is also serving a 10-year sentence related to a separate custodial death case.
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The Supreme Court's decision reinforces the legal framework protecting children from sexual offenses, emphasizing accountability for public servants.
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