Unnao rape survivor continues protest against bail for Kuldeep Sengar

Protests against the bail granted to former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and Unnao rape case convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar continued in Delhi on Sunday (December 28, 2025), during which a heated exchange broke out between the demonstrators and a woman who had arrived to express support for Sengar, outside the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

The protesters, who gathered amid heavy police deployment, demanded the cancellation of Sengar’s bail. The survivor and her mother, along with social activist Yogita Bhayana and several supporters, were present at the site. Similar protests were also staged by the Mumbai Youth Congress, which said the suspension of Sengar’s life sentence contradicted the BJP’s slogan of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (save the girl child, educate the girld child).

On December 23, the Delhi High Court suspended Sengar’s life sentence in the 2017 Unnao rape case, stating that he had already served seven years and five months in prison. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenged the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court on December 26. The plea is scheduled to be heard on Monday (December 29).

Reacting to the developments, the survivor said she was hopeful of justice from the Supreme Court but questioned the delay in the CBI’s intervention. “He killed my father and another family member. The security provided to my family and witnesses was withdrawn. My husband lost his job and my children are unsafe at home,” she said.

Responding to a woman who had come to the protest site on Sunday with a placard that said ‘I support Kuldeep Sengar’, Ms. Bhayana said that women should know that most perpetrators of sexual violence against women are men. “In 97% of the cases, the perpetrators are men. There are only a few women who have been charged in such cases. In such a scenario, is it justified to support a convicted rapist?” she asked.

Protests were also held near the Parliament complex on Saturday (December 27) evening, during which the police detained several activists, including Congress leader Mumtaz Patel.

On Saturday (December 27), the survivor and her mother met officials of the CBI and submitted a complaint alleging that the investigating officer had colluded with a judge to favour the accused.