Outrage in Delhi: Protest Erupts Outside High Court Against Suspension of Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s Jail Term

A strong public outcry erupted outside the Delhi High Court on Friday as protesters gathered to condemn the court’s decision to suspend the jail term of Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the former Uttar Pradesh MLA convicted in the 2017 Unnao rape case. Demonstrators, including women’s rights activists and family members of the victim, voiced deep frustration and concern that the judicial order undermines justice for survivors of sexual violence. 

The protest saw participants carrying placards and chanting slogans such as “Balatkariyo ko sanrakshan dena band karo” (Stop protecting rapists), reflecting widespread anger at what many perceive as a setback in the fight against sexual violence and a failure of the justice system to protect vulnerable victims.

Among those present were members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, women’s rights activist Yogita Bhayana, and the survivor’s mother, who argued that the High Court’s decision has shattered their trust in judicial processes. “Earlier judges had delivered justice to the family, but now the accused has been granted bail,” the survivor’s mother said, underscoring her family’s pain and ongoing suffering. 

The Delhi High Court had earlier this week suspended Sengar’s life sentence given his appeal against his conviction and the time already spent in prison. The court granted him conditional bail, which included conditions such as maintaining distance from the victim’s residence and refraining from intimidation. However, Sengar remains in custody due to a separate 10-year sentence related to the custodial death of the survivor’s father. 

The protest reflects broader concerns about judicial accountability and the safety of women seeking justice. Many demonstrators called for the order to be reviewed by the Supreme Court, a step that is already underway as the CBI has signaled plans to challenge the suspension of the sentence at the apex court level.

Observers say the demonstrations mark renewed public impatience with the pace and direction of judicial decisions in high-profile sexual violence cases. Activists stress the importance of ensuring that legal rulings not only uphold the letter of the law but also maintain public confidence in the justice system’s ability to protect victims and deter perpetrators.

A strong public outcry erupted outside the Delhi High Court on Friday as protesters gathered to condemn the court’s decision to suspend the jail term of Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the former Uttar Pradesh MLA convicted in the 2017 Unnao rape case. Demonstrators, including women’s rights activists and family members of the victim, voiced deep frustration and concern that the judicial order undermines justice for survivors of sexual violence.

The protest saw participants carrying placards and chanting slogans such as “Balatkariyo ko sanrakshan dena band karo” (Stop protecting rapists), reflecting widespread anger at what many perceive as a setback in the fight against sexual violence and a failure of the justice system to protect vulnerable victims. 

Among those present were members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, women’s rights activist Yogita Bhayana, and the survivor’s mother, who argued that the High Court’s decision has shattered their trust in judicial processes. “Earlier judges had delivered justice to the family, but now the accused has been granted bail,” the survivor’s mother said, underscoring her family’s pain and ongoing suffering.

The Delhi High Court had earlier this week suspended Sengar’s life sentence given his appeal against his conviction and the time already spent in prison. The court granted him conditional bail, which included conditions such as maintaining distance from the victim’s residence and refraining from intimidation. However, Sengar remains in custody due to a separate 10-year sentence related to the custodial death of the survivor’s father. 

The protest reflects broader concerns about judicial accountability and the safety of women seeking justice. Many demonstrators called for the order to be reviewed by the Supreme Court, a step that is already underway as the CBI has signaled plans to challenge the suspension of the sentence at the apex court level. 

Observers say the demonstrations mark renewed public impatience with the pace and direction of judicial decisions in high-profile sexual violence cases. Activists stress the importance of ensuring that legal rulings not only uphold the letter of the law but also maintain public confidence in the justice system’s ability to protect victims and deter perpetrators.