The survivor of the 2017 Unnao rape case has publicly appealed for support, alleging that the daughters of convicted former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and their supporters are exposing her identity on social media. This, she claims, is putting her safety at risk.
Survivor’s Plea
In a video message, the survivor stated that she has observed this activity “everywhere, on Facebook, Instagram, everywhere” over the past few days. She previously made an appeal on January 1st, urging support across caste lines, citing a sustained online smear campaign targeting her and her husband.
The survivor’s recent appeals followed a claim made by Sengar’s daughter on X (formerly Twitter) asserting her father’s innocence and requesting public support. She alleges that supporters of Sengar organized a gathering at Jantar Mantar on January 11th, organized by her daughters.
Supreme Court Intervention
The situation unfolded after a December 29th Supreme Court stay of a Delhi High Court order that had suspended Sengar’s life sentence and granted him bail. The apex court ruled that Sengar would remain in custody. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, described the original crime as a “horrific rape” of a minor, who was 15 years and 10 months old at the time of the incident.
High Court Decision and Response
The Delhi High Court had granted Sengar bail after he had served seven years and five months, questioning whether an elected representative qualified as a “public servant” under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act. The bail conditions included a Rs 15 lakh bond, a restriction from entering a 5-km radius of the survivor’s Delhi residence, and a prohibition on threatening the survivor or her mother. This decision prompted protests from the survivor, her family, and activists.
Following the Supreme Court’s stay, Sengar’s daughter, Ishita Sengar, released an open letter expressing exhaustion, fear, and diminishing faith in the legal system. She detailed years of harassment and threats directed at her family, including calls for violence against her simply for existing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the survivor to make her recent appeal?
The survivor made her recent appeal after alleging that the daughters of Kuldeep Singh Sengar and their supporters were exposing her identity on social media, putting her safety at risk.
Why was Kuldeep Singh Sengar initially granted bail?
The Delhi High Court granted Sengar bail after he had served over seven years in prison, questioning whether he met the definition of a “public servant” under the relevant laws.
What was the Supreme Court’s response to the High Court’s bail order?
The Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court’s order, meaning Kuldeep Singh Sengar remains in custody.
As this case continues to unfold, will the courts be able to balance the rights of the convicted and the safety and privacy of the survivor?
