Unnao Rape Case Timeline: From 2017 Assault to Supreme Court’s Stay on Kuldeep Sengar’s Bail
The Supreme Court on Monday, December 29, stayed a Delhi High Court order that had granted bail to expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. On December 23, the Delhi High Court had granted Sengar bail. A Delhi trial court had held Sengar guilty of rape and sentences him to life imprisonment. Here's the full timeline of the Unnao rape case.
New Delhi, December 29: In a major legal intervention, the Supreme Court on Monday, December 29, stayed a Delhi High Court order that had granted bail to expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar. A vacation bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant ruled that Kuldeep Sengar must remain in custody while the court examines a challenge by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the suspension of his life sentence. The ruling comes as a significant development in the 2017 Unnao rape case, halting Sengar's potential release just days after it was approved by the High Court.
On December 23, the Delhi High Court had granted Sengar bail, arguing that as an MLA, he did not strictly fall under the definition of a "public servant" for the purpose of aggravated punishment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. CJI Surya Kant expressed concern over this reasoning, questioning the logic that would classify a police constable as a public servant but exempt an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly. The bench observed that the case involves "substantial questions of law" and issued a notice to Sengar, seeking his response to the CBI's plea within four weeks. Unnao Rape Case: Supreme Court Stays Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s Suspension of Sentence, Survivor’s Counsel Says ‘Not a Victory, Just Time To Breathe’.
Unnao Rape Survivor Hails Verdict Amid Safety Fears
The survivor, who was a minor at the time of the 2017 assault, welcomed the Supreme Court's stay with relief. Speaking to reporters, she expressed "full faith" in the justice system, having previously described the prospect of Sengar's release as "death" (kaal) for her family.
Despite the stay, the family continues to voice concerns over their safety, citing Sengar's lingering political and social influence. In response, the Supreme Court directed that the survivor be provided with additional legal aid assistance to ensure her interests are fully protected during the upcoming proceedings.
Unnao Rape Case Timeline
- June 2017: A 17-year-old girl in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, is kidnapped and raped. The family struggles for nearly a year to have an FIR registered against Kuldeep Sengar, then a powerful BJP MLA.
- April 2018: Driven by police inaction, the survivor attempts self-immolation outside the Chief Minister’s residence. Shortly after, her father dies in judicial custody following a brutal assault. Following national outrage, the CBI arrests Sengar.
- July 2019: A truck with blackened license plates rams into the survivor’s car, killing two of her aunts and leaving her in critical condition. The Supreme Court subsequently transfers all related trials from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi.
- December 2019: A Delhi trial court finds Sengar guilty of rape and sentences him to life imprisonment.
- March 2020: Sengar is further sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the custodial death of the survivor's father.
- December 23, 2025: The Delhi High Court suspends Sengar’s life sentence and grants him conditional bail, citing his seven-year incarceration and legal technicalities regarding his status as a "public servant."
- December 29, 2025: The Supreme Court stays the bail order, ensuring Sengar remains behind bars pending a full review.
Unnao Rape Case: Current Status of Kuldeep Sengar
While Sengar was granted bail in the rape case by the High Court, he was never physically released from jail. He is currently serving a concurrent 10-year sentence for the culpable homicide of the survivor's father, in which he has not been granted similar relief. Was Unnao Rape Convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar Given 'Grand Welcome' After His Release From Jail? Viral Photo Is AI-Generated Image, Reveals Fact Check.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for January 2026, where it will deliberate on whether a sitting legislator holds a "position of dominance" that necessitates the most severe penalties under child protection laws.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2025 06:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).