New Delhi: Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar on Thursday (January 16) sought suspension of his 10-year sentence awarded to him by a trial court in the custodial death case of the Unnao rape victim’s father on the ground that his appeal against his conviction and sentence was pending before the High Court and he had already spent a substantial period in jail.
Sengar, who is also serving imprisonment for the remainder of his biological life in main Unnao rape case, also urged the High Court to extend his period of release because of a cataract surgery at AIIMS, which is scheduled for January 24.
High Court listed the matter for hearing on January 17
Justice Vikas Mahajan, while listing the matter for hearing on January 17, asked the counsel representing Sengar to place on record certain orders.
Justice Mahajan also asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to verify Sengar’s medical record.
High Court earlier extended Sengar’s interim bail till January 20 in the case
The High Court, taking into consideration an order of a division bench suspending Sengar’s sentence in the main Unnao rape case, had on December 23 extended his interim bail till January 20 in the custodial death case of the Unnao rape victim’s father.
What did Sengar’s counsel submit?
Sengar’s counsel, while seeking suspension of his sentence in the custodial death case of the Unnao rape victim’s father, submitted that the actual period undergone in jail by him is eight years and one month and he has served all sentence in the case, barring the 10-year sentence.
“This is an application for the suspension of the sentence. The punishment awarded to the appellant is virtually over. The actual period undergone (in jail) is eight years and one month. There were 9 charges against me… I have served all sentences, barring one (of 10 years)… 24th is the cataract surgery in AIIMS. The appeal is yet to be heard,” the senior counsel submitted, news agency PTI reported.
Sengar’s counsel further told the court that six others in the case have also been given the relief of suspension of sentence.
CBI opposed submissions made by Sengar
The CBI opposed the submissions made by Sengar’s counsel and said that he was the “main accused” in the case and his release would be a threat to the rape survivor. It further said that he cannot claim parity with other accused. It also told the court that Sengar’s similar plea was earlier dismissed by the High Court in June last year.
The matter would be heard on January 17.
