On Monday, the Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea filed by ex-BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar seeking suspension of his sentence in connection with the custodial death of the Unnao rape victim’s father.
The bench led by Justice Ravinder Dudeja observed that although Sengar had undergone approximately 7.5 years of imprisonment, the delay in hearing his appeal against the March 2020 trial court verdict was largely attributable to him.
The court also noted that the matter was repeatedly deferred due to multiple applications filed by Sengar, including pleas seeking interim bail, extension of interim relief and regular suspension of sentence.
Trial court conviction and HC’s observations
The trial court in March 2020 convicted seven persons, including Sengar, his brother Jaideep Singh Sengar and two policemen, for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, wrongful restraint and voluntarily causing hurt, along with offences under the Arms Act.
The policemen were also held guilty of registering a false case against the victim’s father and assaulting him in judicial custody.
All the convicts were awarded 10-year jail terms, with the trial court observing that “no leniency” could be shown for the killing of a family’s sole bread earner.
The high court also noted that the Supreme Court had on December 29 stayed its earlier order suspending Sengar’s sentence in the rape case. Sengar’s appeal against the March 2020 conviction is scheduled to be heard on April 3.
