Justice delayed yet again in the Unnao rape case as the Supreme Court deferred arguments on CBI’s opposition to ex-MLA Kuldeep Sengar’s bail. The March 9 hearing couldn’t proceed without Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, pushing proceedings to a fortnight later.
Background: The bench had imposed a stay on bail and notified Sengar and UP authorities. This pause prolongs uncertainty in a case that has defined battles over accountability for powerful politicians.
Separately, the victim’s relative’s security enhancement request was rebuffed, with directions to file in the high court.
Protests erupted Sunday in Safipur, where Sengar backers marched for ‘justice,’ decrying media’s role in swaying public and judicial opinion through unchecked narratives. Large crowds echoed calls for completed probes before judgments.
Police enforced Section 144, halting the unauthorized event, prompting submission of a memorandum to national leaders outlining grievances against media trials and urging protection of legal sanctity.
The 2017 ordeal involved a teenage girl’s brave stand against Sengar, alleging rape, her father’s custodial death, and family attacks. Convicted in 2019, Sengar’s bail tug-of-war reflects deeper systemic issues in handling crimes by the influential.