Unnao rape case: Supreme Court allows survivor to be heard in CBI’s plea against Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s bail

On Monday, however, the apex court refused to entertain an application by the survivor’s cousin seeking to intervene in the proceedings. The bench asked the minor boy, who contended that granting bail to Sengar would jeopardise his life and liberty, to approach the High Court if so advised.

The bench adjourned the hearing as the CBI counsel was not available, and said it will fix a date for the final hearing.

The applications came up as the bench took up for hearing the Central probe agency’s appeal against the December 23, 2025, order of the Delhi High Court suspending the life sentence of Sengar and granting him bail in the rape case.

On December 29, the Supreme Court stayed the HC order, saying there are “various substantial questions of law which arise for consideration”.

Challenging the Delhi High Court order, CBI contended that the HC “failed to consider that a sitting MLA (he was MLA when the crime was committed), by virtue of holding a constitutional office, is vested with public trust and authority over the electorate, and that such a position carries heightened responsibility arising from duties owed to the State and society”.

CBI said the HC “erred in law by failing to adopt a purposive interpretation that advances the object and intent of the Pocso Act, a special victim-centric legislation enacted to protect children from sexual offences”.