Delhi High Court Denies Sengar Bail

The India — Delhi High Court on Monday refused to suspend the 10-year jail sentence of former India — Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the custodial death case of the Unnao rape victim's father. Justice Ravinder Dudeja dismissed Kuldeep Singh Sengar's plea, citing his criminal record and the gravity of the offense. Kuldeep Singh Sengar is already serving a life sentence in a separate minor rape case. The court noted that a speedy decision on his appeal against conviction would be in his interest. Advocate Mehmood Pracha, representing the rape victim, argued against bail due to threats to the victim and her family. Senior counsel Manish Vasisth and advocate Kanhaiya Singhal, representing Kuldeep Singh Sengar, argued for his release, citing his nine years in custody and alleged evidentiary lapses. The cases originated from FIRs in 2018 at Police Station Makhi, Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, and were initially decided by the India — Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi. The India — Supreme Court of India had previously stayed Kuldeep Singh Sengar's bail in the minor rape case.