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The Unnao rape case refers to the gang rape, which took place in June, 2017 with a minor girl in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.
Minor girl raped in 2017
The 17-year old girl was kidnapped and raped by former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in 2017 in Unnao.
Victim's father was arrested and died in custody
The father of the rape victim was arrested at the behest of Sengar in a case under Arms Act and died in custody on April 9, 2018, owing police brutality.
Kuldeep Singh Sengar convicted in the rape case
In December 2019, Sengar was convicted in the rape case, and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was also found guilty in the death of the rape victim's father in the custody.
Court provided CRPF security to the survivor and her mother
Taking note of the sensational rape case and the threat to lives of the survivor and others, the apex court on August 1, 2019, directed that the rape survivor, her mother, other members of the family and their lawyer be provided CRPF security.
Sengar sentenced to life imprisonment
In March 2020, Sengar was sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment, besides imposition of a fine of Rs 10 lakh, in the case of death of the rape victim's father in custody. The court had also awarded a 10-year jail term to Sengar's brother for their role in the custodial killing of the father of the rape victim.
Victim files police complaint against family members
In 2023, the victim accused their relatives of grabbing the money she had received from the government and NGOs and throwing her out of her house. An FIR has been filed at the Makhi police station against her uncle, mother, sister and one other person.
Centre moves SC to withdraw CRPF security to the survivor
In September 2024, the Centre's counsel said no security cover is needed according to the threat analysis of the victim and her family members, and sought responses from the rape survivor and her family members on the their plea seeking withdrawal of CRPF security cover.
SC refuses to withdraw security cover
However, in March 2025, the Supreme Court refused to withdraw the CRPF security cover of the Unnao rape survivor, saying there was still a perception of threat.
Delhi High Court suspends Sengar's jail term
Recently, a division bench of the Delhi High Court granted bail to Sengar after suspending his life sentence, to which the 2017 Unnao rape case survivor challenged the court's decision of suspending his jail term.
She has now decided to move to the Supreme Court against it.
Sengar, who is serving life imprisonment in the rape case, has been ordered release and the disposal of his appeal against his conviction by the Delhi Court.
The high court has ordered Sengar not to come within a 5km radius of the victim's residence and shall not threaten her and her mother. However, he will remain in jail since he is also serving 10 years imprisonment in the death case of the survivor's father and has not been granted bail in the same case.
Reacting to the verdict, the rape survivor said, ""If the convict gets bail in cases like this, how will the country's daughters remain safe? For us, this decision is no less than 'kaal' (death)."
"Those with money win, those without money lose," she added.
She further said that she and her family have started receiving threats from Senger's henchmen.
Moreover, the CBI has also termed the suspension of life sentence of Sengar in the Supreme Court.