On Monday, the Delhi High Court rejected the appeal of former BJP leader and ex-UP MLA Kuldeep Sengar to suspend the 10-year incarceration sentence that was served to him for the death of the Unnao rape victim's father.
What did the court rule?
The Delhi High Court observed that although Kuldeep Sengar has been locked up for a long time, he could not be let out for the delay that was caused by the multiple applications filed on his behalf for his release, PTI reported.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja said, "No grounds are made out for grant relief. The application seeking suspension of sentence is dismissed."
The court added, "Purpose would be served if the appeal is heard expeditiously." The matter will be heard again on February 3.
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The case against Kuldeep Sengar
Kuldeep Sengar was sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment by a trial court on March 13, 2020. He was also fined ₹10 lakh for the survivor's father's death in custody. The trial court had ruled that "no leniency" could be expressed for the murder of a family's "sole bread earner."
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Kuldeep Sengar's appeals against his December 2019 conviction and life sentence in the rape case, as well as in the custodial death case, are still pending before the High Court. The court had earlier sentenced his brother, Atul Singh Sengar, along with five others, to 10 years in jail for their role in the custodial death of the survivor's father.
The survivor's father was arrested under the Arms Act, allegedly on Sengar's orders, and died in custody on April 9, 2018, after alleged police brutality.
