NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday revoked an earlier order by the Delhi High Court that had suspended the life sentence awarded to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case. The apex court has directed the High Court to re-examine Sengar’s plea for suspension of his sentence afresh.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi instructed the High Court to endeavor to decide Sengar’s main appeal against his conviction and life imprisonment within a two-month timeframe. The court further stipulated that if the main appeal could not be decided promptly, the High Court should issue an order on Sengar’s application for the suspension of his life term before the commencement of the summer vacation.
The Supreme Court, which had previously annulled a High Court order granting bail to Sengar following significant public outcry, noted that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case and that the High Court could proceed with the matter independently. The Chief Justice also directed the High Court to reconsider ancillary issues, including whether a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) should be classified as a public servant for prosecution under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Earlier, the top court had postponed the hearing on a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the suspension of the former MLA’s life sentence to the first week of May. In its order dated December 29 last year, the Supreme Court had stayed the Delhi High Court’s decision to suspend Sengar’s life sentence, ensuring his continued custody.
The Delhi High Court, in its order dated December 23, 2025, had stated that Sengar was convicted under Section 5(C) of the POCSO Act, which pertains to aggravated penetrative sexual assault by a public servant. However, the High Court had questioned whether an elected representative fits the definition of a ‘public servant’ under Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code. Subsequently, the High Court had suspended Sengar’s life imprisonment, pending the outcome of his appeal, noting that he had already served seven years and five months in prison.
The Delhi High Court’s order to suspend Sengar’s life sentence had drawn widespread criticism from various societal segments, leading to protests by the victim, her family, and social activists.
The Chenab Times News Desk