'Survivor treated like criminals': Rahul Gandhi on 'manhandling' of Unnao rape victim; slams bail to ex-BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticised the forcible removal of the Unnao rape survivor by security forces from India Gate, where she was protesting against the Delhi high court’s order suspending the life sentence of the convict and former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar

Also Read | 'His bail like kaal for us': Unnao rape case survivor to move SC against suspension of Kuldeep Singh Sengar's jail term; seeks justice

"Is such treatment of a gang rape survivor appropriate? Is her 'fault' that she has the courage to raise her voice for justice?" Gandhi wrote on X.

The Congress leader described the high court’s bail to Sengar as "disappointing" and "shameful." Sengar committed the crime in June 2017 and was convicted in December 2019, months after the Supreme Court shifted the trial from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi.




Also Read | 'Is this country or a banana land': Unnao rape survivor’s mother blocked from protest, claims daughter is 'held captive'

“Bail for rapists and treating survivors like criminals—what kind of justice is this?" Gandhi asked.

He added that India is not only a "dead economy" but is also becoming a "dead society.” This was a reference to his earlier remark endorsing US President Donald Trump’s jibe at India and Russia.

"In a democracy, raising a voice of dissent is a right, and suppressing it is a crime. The survivor deserves respect, safety, and justice—not helplessness, fear, and injustice," the Raebareli MP said.

Also Read | 'Put us in jail for safety': Unnao rape survivor's sister on HC relief for Kuldeep Sengar; ex-BJP leader's life term suspended

The high court on Tuesday granted conditional bail to Sengar and suspended his life sentence in the Unnao rape case for the duration of the pendency of his appeal challenging his conviction and sentencing.

The conditions of his bail include furnishing a Rs 15-lakh personal bond with three sureties of the same amount, not entering within a five-kilometre radius of the survivor’s residence, and refraining from threatening or influencing her or her mother.
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