On Tuesday, the Supreme Court sought responses from the 2017 Unnao rape Survivor and her family regarding the Centre’s plea to withdraw their CRPF security cover, initially granted by the court in 2019. The expelled BJP leader, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, is serving a life sentence for the kidnapping and rape of the minor.
A bench of Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma noted that security was provided due to the serious threats faced by the survivor and her family. The Centre’s counsel argued that, based on a threat analysis, there is no longer a need for the CRPF security, and that local police could take over.
During the proceedings, the court highlighted that the survivor and her family currently reside in Delhi, and emphasized the importance of ensuring their safety. The Supreme Court previously ordered the transfer of all related cases from Lucknow to Delhi, mandating a swift trial. Additionally, the court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to provide Rs. 25 lakh as interim compensation to the survivor.
Sengar has sought to overturn the trial court’s December 2019 judgement sentencing him to life imprisonment, while his appeal remains pending in the Delhi High Court. He was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for the death of the survivor’s father, who died in custody in 2018
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