New Delhi: The Supreme Court has stayed the Delhi High Court order granting conditional bail to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. The decision followed seven days of protest by the survivor and her family against the bail order. The stay has brought temporary relief to the survivor while legal proceedings continue.
Advocate Mehmood Pracha, counsel for the survivor, addressed the media after the order. He said the stay did not mark a final victory. He described it as temporary relief linked to the survivor’s immediate safety. Pracha said the survivor repeatedly expressed fear after the High Court order. He said the Supreme Court decision allowed him to assure her of safety for now. He added the legal struggle would continue through due process.
The order has also encouraged protesters supporting the survivor. Yogita Bhayan, founder of the organisation Pari, said the intervention restored her faith in the judiciary. She said protests had continued across different political regimes with the same demand, protection for the survivor. She welcomed the Supreme Court taking note of risks linked to the bail order.
Opposition to the stay emerged from the accused’s family. Ishita Sengar, daughter of Kuldeep Singh Sengar, posted an open letter on social media criticising the Supreme Court order. She described it as driven by public outrage rather than evidence. She questioned safeguards for ordinary citizens if public pressure influences judicial decisions.
She urged courts to allow law and evidence to speak freely. She said public discussion of the case had overshadowed factual examination.
The survivor remains under protection. The case continues to draw national attention around justice, safety, and accountability.
