Unnao custodial death: HC extends interim bail to Kuldeep Sengar’s brother

The Delhi High Court on Friday extended the interim bail granted to Jaideep Sengar, brother of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Sengar, till March 11 on medical grounds.

Jaideep, who is serving 10-year jail term in connection with the custodial death of the Unnao rape survivor’s father, was granted relief due to his ongoing treatment for mouth cancer.

Justice Vikas Mahajan passed the order while hearing Jaideep’s plea seeking a suspension of his sentence. His counsel argued that the interim bail granted earlier was set to expire on February 18.

“Issue notice (to CBI). Let a status report be filed. In the meanwhile, interim bail granted to the petitioner is extended till the next date of hearing. Renotify on March 11,” the court directed.

The court had initially granted him interim bail on July 3, 2024, which was later extended on November 18.

Kuldeep Sengar was convicted on December 20, 2019, for the rape of the minor survivor and sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his life. The case dates back to 2017, when the survivor was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted by Sengar, then a powerful BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh.

The survivor’s father was arrested in 2018 under the Arms Act, allegedly at the behest of Sengar and his brother. He died in custody on April 9, 2018, due to alleged police brutality.

The trial court, while convicting the Sengar brothers in 2020, stating that “no leniency” could be granted for taking the life of a family’s “sole bread earner.”

Kuldeep and Jaideep were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 10 lakh each.