A volatile confrontation broke out at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 28 December 2025, between supporters of the Unnao rape survivor and a group backing convicted former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.
The survivor and her family were protesting the Delhi High Court’s December 23 order, which suspended Sengar’s life sentence and granted him bail after seven years in prison.
The situation escalated when a woman from a group called Purush Aayog attempted to enter the protest site with a placard reading “I Support Kuldeep Sengar,” leading to a heated verbal spat and chants of “Shame on You.”
While Delhi Police managed to remove the woman and prevent physical violence, the event underscored the intense public anger surrounding the case. Following this, the Supreme Court on 29 December stayed the High Court’s bail order, ensuring Sengar remains in custody.
Jantar Mantar Protest
The protest, led by activist Yogita Bhayana and the survivor’s family, was a desperate plea for security and justice. The survivor, who was present at the site, made a tearful appeal to the government, stating that the release of such a “powerful” individual placed her entire family at risk.
She highlighted that her husband had been expelled from his job and their children were no longer safe. The mother of the victim echoed these fears, recounting how their relatives had been beaten and framed in fake cases during their long legal battle.
The presence of counter-protesters holding pro-Sengar posters served as a painful reminder of the persistent political and social clout the convict still wields despite his 2019 conviction.
Legal Controversy
The clash was rooted in the Delhi High Court’s interpretation that an MLA might not be considered a “public servant” under certain provisions of the POCSO Act, which could reduce the severity of the charges.
This legal nuance allowed for the suspension of Sengar’s sentence, a move the CBI and the survivor’s legal team fiercely challenged. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI in the Supreme Court, argued that Sengar used his “dominant position” as a lawmaker to commit a “horrific” crime against a minor.
The Supreme Court bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, expressed concern that such an interpretation could grant lawmakers immunity, stating that if a constable is a public servant, an MLA certainly is one too.
Supreme Court’s Decisive Stay
In a major victory for the survivor, the Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court’s bail order on 29 December 2025. The apex court noted the “peculiar facts” of the case, including Sengar’s separate 10-year conviction for the custodial death of the survivor’s father.
The court observed that while it generally respects the liberty granted by lower courts, the safety of the victim and the gravity of the offences required immediate intervention. Sengar has been given four weeks to file a response, with the next hearing scheduled for late January.
The survivor expressed satisfaction with the stay, stating she has “full faith” in the Supreme Court, though she questioned why the CBI’s intervention had been delayed.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the sight of citizens holding posters in support of a convicted rapist is a sobering reflection of the challenges survivors face when fighting the powerful.
While every individual has the right to protest, we must ask ourselves what it says about our collective conscience when support is mobilised for someone found guilty of a heinous crime against a minor.
True harmony can only exist when we prioritise empathy for the survivor over political or ideological leanings. The Supreme Court’s stay is a vital step in restoring faith in the judiciary.
Read More: Supreme Court Stays Delhi HC Bail for Kuldeep Sengar in Unnao Minor Rape Case Amid Victim Fears
