Unnao rape case: SC stays HC order suspending...

Indian Penal Code.

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n another case and continues iG remain in jail in that matter.

“In the peculiar circumstances of the case, we stay the operation of the impugned order dated December 23, 2025. Consequently, the respondent shall not be released from custody pursuant to the said order,’ the bench said. It added that several substantial questions of law arise from the high court ruling, and these require detailed consideration.

The Delhi High Court had suspended Sengar's life sentence in the rape case till the disposal of his appeal, observing that he had already spent seven years and five months in prison. Sengar was convicted by a Delhi trial court in December 2019 for raping a minor girl in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.

Despite the high court order, Sengar was not released as he is also serving a 10-year sentence in a separate case relating to the custodial death of the survivor' father. He has not been granted bail in that case, which continues to keep him behind bars.

During the hearing before the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, urged the bench to immediately stay the high court order. He described the offence as a “horrific rape” of a minor and said the court must remain conscious of its responsibility towards the victim.

“This is an occasion where I would really urge your lordships’ conscience to stay this order. We are answerable to the child who was 15 years and 10 months old” Mehta told the bench. He also highlighted that Sengar was a powerful MLA in the area at the time the offence was committed.