THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Dec 29: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Delhi High Court order that had suspended the life sentence of former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case and allowed him bail, making it clear that he will continue to remain in prison.
A three-judge vacation bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, passed the interim order while hearing a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the High Court’s decision.
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The apex court also issued notice to Sengar, directing him to submit his response within two weeks.
While staying the December 23 order of the Delhi High Court, the Supreme Court took note of the fact that Sengar is already undergoing imprisonment in another criminal matter.
The bench observed that he has been convicted under Section 304 of the IPC in a separate case and continues to be in custody, warranting a stay on the High Court’s order permitting his release.
Sengar, an expelled BJP leader, was convicted in December 2019 in the Unnao rape case and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹25 lakh.
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Although the High Court had granted him bail in the rape case pending appeal, he remained lodged in jail as he is serving a 10-year sentence in another CBI case related to murder.
