Unnao Rape Case: Victim's Family Protests Suspension of Convict's Sentence
Protest at Jantar Mantar
New Delhi: On Sunday, the survivor of the 2017 Unnao rape incident, accompanied by her family and supporters, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. They were expressing their outrage over the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend the life sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Senger.
During the demonstration, the victim emphasized the need for enhanced security for her family, stating, "I urge the chief minister to ensure our safety; these individuals hold significant power. Please protect your daughter. My husband lost his job, and we are now without income; where do we turn?"
Protesters voiced their discontent, claiming that the leniency shown towards Senger was unacceptable and did not meet public expectations.
The victim's mother expressed her faith in the Supreme Court, hoping for justice in their case. She stated, "We have faced violence, and our relatives have been assaulted; I implore the government not to release him."
On December 23, the Delhi High Court had suspended Senger's sentence pending his appeal, noting he had already served over seven years in prison. However, he remains incarcerated due to a separate 10-year sentence related to the custodial death of the victim's father.
The Supreme Court is set to review a petition from the CBI contesting the High Court's ruling. A three-judge vacation bench, including Chief Justice Surya Kant, is expected to address the matter.
Supporters from the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA) joined the protest, highlighting the influence of political power in criminal cases. They cautioned that any reduction in accountability could erode public trust in the justice system.
AISA released a statement urging the Supreme Court to heed the voices from Jantar Mantar, asserting that Senger belongs behind bars and that the survivor and her family deserve safety and justice.
The protesters called for transparent legal proceedings and insisted that accountability should apply to everyone involved, regardless of their status.
According to police reports, a woman was peacefully removed from the protest site for attempting to enter with a placard supporting Senger, and no altercations were reported.
The victim and her mother were present at the protest but required medical assistance due to health issues, which was promptly provided.
Senger, 59, previously served as a four-time MLA from Unnao, having run on BSP and SP tickets before joining the BJP in 2017.
In a recent social media post, Sengar's daughter urged the people of Unnao to avoid protests, expressing her family's confidence in the judicial process. She stated, "I kindly ask everyone to remain patient during this challenging time. Your support strengthens us."