The court also mentioned that if the survivor’s family members or other witnesses still feel unsafe, they have the option to approach the local police for security concerns.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the Unnao rape survivor would continue to receive CRPF security cover as there is still a perceived threat to her safety. However, the court removed the CRPF protection given to her family members and other witnesses, stating that the case has already led to a conviction.
ALSO READ: Unnao Rape Convict Kuldeep Sengar Surrendered in Tihar After Surgery Delay: Delhi HC Told
A bench comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and P B Varale said,
“We are of the opinion that protection granted by this court to the concerned persons at the relevant time may not be continued as the case has resulted in conviction who is awarded life imprisonment.” The bench further clarified, “However we make it clear that the CRPF cover for the victim shall continue till further orders of this court.”
The court also mentioned that if the survivor’s family members or other witnesses still feel unsafe, they have the option to approach the local police for security concerns.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati pointed out that the trial had concluded with a conviction and sought permission from the court to withdraw the CRPF security cover. The Central government had moved a petition seeking the removal of security that was provided following the Supreme Court’s order in 2019.
Background
Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a former BJP leader, was convicted for raping a minor girl in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, in 2017. He is currently serving a life sentence in jail.
On August 1, 2019, the Supreme Court directed that the rape survivor, along with her mother, family members, and their lawyer, should be given CRPF security. The court had also transferred all five cases related to the rape incident from Lucknow to Delhi. It directed a special court to conduct daily hearings and complete the trial within 45 days.
Additionally, the apex court instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to provide Rs 25 lakh as interim compensation to the survivor.
Sengar has challenged his conviction in the Unnao rape case, and his appeal is currently pending before the Delhi High Court. He has requested the court to quash the trial court’s December 2019 judgment, which sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Apart from the rape conviction, on March 13, 2020, Sengar was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in the case related to the custodial death of the survivor’s father. The survivor’s father had been arrested under the Arms Act and later died in custody on April 9, 2018.
The trial court did not convict Sengar and others for murder but found them guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. It sentenced them under Section 304 of the IPC, stating that there was no direct intention to kill the victim.
