New Delhi
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted bail to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case, suspending his life imprisonment sentence while his appeal remains pending. However, the relief does not result in his immediate release, as Sengar continues to be lodged in prison while serving a separate 10-year sentence in a culpable homicide case linked to the death of the rape survivor’s father.
The court suspended Sengar’s life sentence in the rape case and directed his release on a personal bond of ₹15 lakh, along with three sureties of the same amount. The suspension will remain effective until the disposal of his appeal.
While allowing bail, the High Court imposed strict conditions. Sengar has been prohibited from entering within a five-kilometre radius of the survivor’s residence and has been instructed to stay in Delhi throughout the appeal proceedings. He has also been directed not to threaten or contact the survivor or her mother, to surrender his passport to the trial court, and to report to the local police station every Monday at 10 am.
The court warned that any violation of these conditions would lead to cancellation of bail and clarified that Sengar must remain available to serve the remainder of his sentence if his conviction is upheld.
Sengar was convicted in December 2019 for raping a minor under the IPC and the Pocso Act and was sentenced to life imprisonment, along with a compensation of ₹25 lakh to the survivor. His appeal is scheduled to be heard next on January 15, 2026.
