New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday extended by one month the interim bail granted to BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is serving a life sentence in the 2017 Unnao rape case, on medical grounds. Moving out of his residence except going to AIIMS for follow-up treatment and not leaving Delhi.
Both the CBI and the rape victim opposed the plea seeking extension of interim bail.
A bench of Justices Pratibha M Singh and Amit Sharma granted the politician interim bail till December 20 and said he would surrender before the jail superintendent on January 20.
On December 5, the court temporarily suspended Sanger’s sentence and ordered his medical evaluation at AIIMS. It was claimed that he was suffering from various diseases including cataracts.
His senior counsel then prayed for an additional five months interim relief to ensure proper care and necessary treatment.
“Considering appellant’s (Sanger’s) overall medical condition, this court is of the view that the period of suspension sought is too long. But to enable appellant to recover from his eye surgery, testicular pain, and to recuperate. An interim period of one month should he experience bleeding during defecation.” It has been instructed to extend the bail,” said the order issued by the court on December 20.
“No more deadline will be given,” he added.
The court ordered that Sengar’s residence here be guarded 24 hours a day by a Delhi Police jawan, who will not allow more than two visitors at a time.
It added that he would adhere to certain conditions, such as going to AIIMS for follow-up treatment and not leaving his residence except to leave Delhi.
The division bench had earlier ordered Sengar to be admitted to AIIMS in New Delhi for a detailed review of his medical condition.
The former BJP politician is also serving a 10-year jail term in connection with the custodial death of the Unnao rape victim’s father. In that case, another bench granted him interim bail till December 23.
His appeal against the December 2019 trial court verdict in the rape case is pending in the High Court. He has demanded to cancel it.
The minor girl was accused of being kidnapped and raped by Sengar in 2017.
On 13 March 2020, Sengar was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 10 lakh, in the custodial death case. The court also sentenced Sengar’s brother Atul Singh Sengar and five others to 10 years in prison.
It is said that the father of the rape victim was arrested in a case under the Arms Act on the order of Sengar. He died in custody on April 9, 2018.
On August 1, 2019, the rape case and other related cases were transferred from the trial court of Uttar Pradesh to Delhi on the direction of the Supreme Court.