In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has granted bail to two former Uttar Pradesh Police officers, Ashok Singh Bhadauria and Kamta Prasad Singh, who were previously convicted in the case concerning the custodial death of the father of the Unnao rape survivor. The decision was made by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma.
The two officers, Bhadauria and Prasad, were convicted by the Trial Court on March 4, 2020, alongside co-accused Kuldeep Singh Sengar and three others for various offenses. Justice Sharma, in his judgment, highlighted that both convicts have already served sentences exceeding four years. He stated,
“It is a settled proposition that for cases other than life sentence cases, the broad parameter of 50% of the actual sentence undergone can be the basis for the grant of bail.”
The judgment further noted,
“it is a matter of record that an appeal in the case was admitted on 31.07.2020; however, the Court has not been able to hear it. It is also a matter of the record that the appellants did not misuse the liberty of interim bail granted to them from time to time.”
Consequently, the court ordered their release on bail after they furnished a bond of ₹50,000.
To provide some background, the minor Unnao rape survivor was abducted and raped by Sengar between June 11 and June 20, 2017. Following the incident, she was sold for ₹60,000 and later recovered at the Makhi police station. The survivor was persistently threatened and warned by police officials not to speak out, as directed by Sengar.
A tragic turn of events occurred on April 9, 2018, when the rape victim’s father passed away while in custody. Allegations arose that he had been assaulted after a dispute with some of the accused.
He was reportedly taken to the Makhi police station, falsely accused of possessing an illegal firearm, and subsequently sent to custodial remand, where he met his untimely death. In total, seven individuals were found guilty in connection with the case.
This case has garnered significant attention, and the recent bail decision is sure to be closely watched by legal experts and the public alike.