The Supreme Court condemned allegations made against Delhi High Court judges after suspension of Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s life sentence in the Unnao rape case, warning against politicising judicial decisions. The apex court stayed the HC order and stressed that attempts to malign judges must be firmly rejected.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday strongly reacted to allegations being made against Delhi High Court judges in connection with the suspension of life sentence of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case. The top court observed that certain sections were trying to gain “political advantage” by targeting the judiciary.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had suspended Sengar’s life sentence, noting that he had already spent about seven years and five months in prison.
Following this, statements and allegations were allegedly made against the High Court judges who passed the order, prompting serious concern before the Supreme Court.
A three-judge vacation bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant took note of the issue while hearing the matter.
Reacting to the developments, the CJI remarked,
“We understand it. We are not sitting in ivory towers. We understand that people are trying to take political advantage and there are people who are trying to take advantage.”
Senior advocate N Hariharan, appearing on behalf of Sengar, informed the court that certain individuals were openly making allegations against the High Court judges who dealt with the case.
He urged that such conduct should stop, as it undermines the dignity of the judiciary. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Hariharan told the bench,
“They are doing that on national television.”
Another counsel appearing for Sengar added that even photographs of the concerned High Court judges were being circulated publicly. Hariharan further pointed out that a video was also in circulation in which allegations were being levelled against the judges, calling it deeply worrying.
The Supreme Court bench observed that people making such allegations were conveniently ignoring the fact that Sengar himself was convicted by the judiciary after due process. Expressing strong support for the judges under attack, the bench said,
“Very frankly, these judges are one of the finest we have.”
The bench also comprised Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), firmly defended the High Court judges.
He categorically stated that both judges were
“brilliant judges with unimpeachable integrity”
and stressed that any attempt to defame them deserved outright condemnation. Reinforcing his stand, the top law officer said,
“They are among the finest judges of the country.”
Mehta further cautioned that there are always some elements who try to intimidate honest judges, and such forces should never be encouraged by society or institutions.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court’s order that had suspended Sengar’s life sentence in the Unnao rape case.
The apex court clearly directed that Sengar “shall not be released from custody.” It also issued notice to Sengar, asking him to file his response within four weeks to the CBI’s plea challenging the High Court order.
Sengar’s life sentence had been suspended by the Delhi High Court during the pendency of his appeal against his conviction and sentence awarded by a trial court in December 2019.
Also Read: Supreme Court Orders Delhi Govt to Report on Threat to Unnao Rape Victim’s Mother
However, despite the suspension in the rape case, Sengar will continue to remain in jail as he is also serving a 10-year sentence in the custodial death case of the rape survivor’s father. He has not been granted bail in that case.
It is important to note that the Unnao rape case and other connected matters were transferred from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi on August 1, 2019, following directions issued by the Supreme Court, to ensure a fair and impartial trial.
Read More Reports On Unnao Rape Case
