Amid a huge protest against the suspension of the sentence of Kuldeep Sengar, who was convicted in the Unnao rape case, the family of the victim on Friday said they have “lost faith in the High Court” and vowed to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. “His bail should be rejected… We will knock on the doors of the Supreme Court. We have lost faith in the High Court,” the victim’s mother said.
She demanded Kuldeep Sengar, who was convicted in the Unnao rape case, “should be hanged immediately”, according to news agency ANI. The survivor’s mother along with activist Yogita Bhayana led a protest today at the high court against the suspension of the sentence to the former BJP leader.
‘Decision of two judges shattered our trust’
“If we don’t get justice in the Supreme Court, we will go to another country… The person guilty of my husband’s murder should be hanged immediately,” she added.
Speaking to PTI, the survivor’s mother said she had come to the high court to protest as her daughter had endured immense suffering.
“I am not blaming the entire high court, but only the two judges whose decision has shattered our trust,” she said.
The mother added that earlier judges had delivered justice to the family, but the accused had now been granted bail.
Victim’s sister expressed fear for the safety of the family. Speaking to ANI, she said: “I’m not happy about this. He killed my uncle and then my father. Then this incident happened with my sister. He has been released, but we’re still in danger. Who knows, now that they’re out, they might kill me and my entire family”.
Mehmood Pracha, Advocate for Unnao rape case survivor, confirmed that they will approach the top court to challenge the Delhi igh Court order.
“We received reports that CBI will also appeal against the High Court’s order. But we do not have any confidence that the CBI will fight this case diligently in the Supreme Court… We are also making preparations to go to the Supreme Court with a strong case… But CBI is the main party… Tomorrow we will try to file an FIR with the CBI against the officials who helped Kuldeep Singh Sengar… CBI should expose their conspiracy and take action against them… a similar thing happened with the victim of the Hathras incident… After this judgment, no female children of the country are safe. If Sengar is worthy of mercy, then… then all rapists are now worthy of mercy. That’s why people of this country should come on the roads, otherwise no one will get justice..,” Pracha was quoted as saying by ANI.
“If they’ve released him, then they should put us in jail. At least our lives would be safe there. We would be alive. My sister is in distress that he has been granted bail. My family is still in danger. There are small children. I have a brother. Who knows what they might do to him? Many of their men are roaming around outside, giving threats, saying, “Now that he is coming back, what can you do to me? I’ll kill each and every one of you.” We receive these kinds of threats, that’s why I live in fear..,” she said.
Protest outside Delhi HC against suspension of Sengar’s jail term
Holding placards, women activists raised slogans such as “Balatkariyo ko sanrakshan dena band kro” (stop protecting rapists) in support of the Unnao rape survivor.
The protests were led by the All India Democratic Women’s Association.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered the release of Sengar, who is serving a life term in the case, on bail pending the disposal of his appeal against his conviction by a trial court in December 2019.
In its order, the court directed that the former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA shall not come within a five-kilometre radius of the victim’s residence or threaten the rape survivor or her mother, and said any violation of the conditions would automatically lead to the cancellation of his bail.
However, Sengar will remain in jail as he is also serving a 10-year sentence in connection with the custodial death of the survivor’s father and has not been granted bail in that case.