NEW DELHI – In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, ordered the suspension of the life imprisonment sentence of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar. The former MLA had been serving a life term following his conviction in the 2017 Unnao rape case.

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Court Order and Bail Conditions

A division bench comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar granted Sengar conditional bail during the pendency of his appeal against the 2019 trial court verdict.

To ensure the safety of the survivor and the integrity of the ongoing legal process, the Court imposed the following stringent conditions:

• Financial Bond: Sengar is required to furnish a personal bond of ₹15 lakh with three sureties of the same amount.

• Geographical Restriction: He is strictly prohibited from entering within a 5-km radius of the victim’s residence.

• Residency: He must remain within the National Capital Territory of Delhi throughout the duration of his appeal.

• Reporting: The convict must report to the local police station every Monday at 10:00 AM.

• Travel Restrictions: He must surrender his passport to the trial court and is barred from leaving the country.

“Violation of any of the conditions would lead to immediate cancellation of bail,” the bench cautioned while pronouncing the order.

Why Sengar Remains Behind Bars

Despite the suspension of his sentence in the rape case, Sengar will not be released from prison immediately. He continues to serve a separate 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence related to the custodial death of the rape survivor’s father.

While Sengar has also moved a plea seeking the suspension of his sentence in the custodial death case—arguing that he has already served a substantial portion of his term—the High Court is yet to deliver a final ruling on that specific application.

Background of the Case

The Unnao rape case, which sparked nationwide outrage, involved the kidnapping and rape of a minor girl in June 2017. Due to the high-profile nature of the accused and concerns regarding the safety of the survivor, the Supreme Court of India transferred the trial from Uttar Pradesh to a special court in Delhi in 2019.

In December 2019, Sengar was convicted under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, leading to his expulsion from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Reaction from the Survivor’s Family

The decision has met with strong resistance from the survivor’s family. Speaking to the media, the survivor’s sister expressed deep distress, stating, “He killed my uncle and my father. We are still in danger. If something happens to my family, will the court take responsibility?” The family has requested increased security, citing fears of intimidation by Sengar’s associates.

The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for the appeal on January 15, 2026.