After former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who was serving a life sentence in the Unnao rape case, was granted bail by the Delhi High Court, the pain of the victim’s family has once again come to the fore. Upon hearing the news of the bail, the victim’s sister said that she is not at all happy with this decision and that even today her entire family is living in fear. The victim’s sister said, “First he killed my elder father, then my father died, and after that, such a heinous crime was committed against my sister. Now he has been granted bail, but we are still not safe. Who knows what he might do to us once he comes out. We fear that he might get us and our entire family killed.”
“If you want to keep him out, put us in jail.”
The victim’s sister said her family has already lost a lot. Her father’s death, attacks on relatives, and constant threats have devastated them. She said emotionally, “If you want to keep him out, put us in jail. At least our lives will be safe. We have small children and a younger brother at home. Every day we live in fear that something untoward might happen.”
The family alleges that people associated with Kuldeep Sengar are still openly issuing threats. They say that many are roaming around saying, “Now he’s coming back, what can you do to us?” The family claims that they have received threats
before, but the fear has increased further after the bail order.
Protest at India Gate, Police removed them
Amidst this fear and protest, the victim, her mother and women’s rights activist Yogita Bhayna held a peaceful protest near India Gate in Delhi. Their aim was to protest the Delhi High Court’s order suspending Kuldeep Sengar’s life sentence. During the protest, the victim’s mother said that she had struggled for years to get justice for her daughter, but the granting of bail has shaken her faith again. However, this protest could not last long and the Delhi Police removed everyone from there.
Bail granted with strict conditions
Delhi High Court has granted conditional bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar. The court has put a condition of a personal bond of Rs 15 lakh and a surety of the same amount. The court has also given instructions that: –
Sengar will not come within 5 km radius of the victim
– He will have to stay in Delhi during the bail
– He will have to appear before the police every Monday
– He will not threaten the victim or her family in any way
– He will submit his passport to the lower court
– In case of violation of any condition, the bail can be cancelled immediately
This bail will remain effective till the High Court gives its final decision on his appeal.
No release from jail for the time being.
Despite being granted bail, Kuldeep Sengar’s immediate release is unlikely. He is also convicted of murdering the victim’s father and is serving a 10-year sentence in that case. Therefore, he will remain in jail for the time being, but the suspension of sentence remains a major concern for the victim’s family.