Unnao Rape Case: High Court to consider survivor’s fresh Evidence Plea only after documents are filed

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court took up an application filed by the Unnao rape survivor seeking permission to lead additional evidence in the criminal appeal of former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, whose life sentence is under challenge, a move that could impact the final adjudication of a case that has long carried national significance.

The survivor moved the High Court in the pending appeal filed by Sengar in 2020 against his conviction and life sentence for the rape of a minor, requesting that she be allowed to place further material on record, including documents relating to her date of birth from school records. The application came up before a Division Bench as the appeal itself has reached the concluding stage of hearing.

The request was opposed in principle by Sengar, who is presently out on bail following a brief suspension of sentence by the High Court, an order that was subsequently stayed by the Supreme Court. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which prosecuted the case, has also been directed to respond.

Examining the application, the Bench noted that it was filed without annexing any supporting documents and declined to consider it in its present form. The Court directed the survivor to place the relevant documents on record by January 31, while granting Sengar and the CBI two weeks thereafter to file their replies. The Bench also took note of the advanced stage of the appeal, underscoring the need for procedural clarity before entertaining additional evidence.

The matter has now been listed for further hearing on February 25, with the Court observing that the request would be considered only after compliance with its directions.

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