New Delhi, 27 Dec

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday moved the Supreme Court, filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision that suspended the sentence and granted bail to former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case.

The SLP targets the Delhi High Court order dated December 23, 2025, which suspended Sengar’s life sentence pending disposal of his appeal and allowed bail subject to certain conditions. Sengar was convicted in December 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh in the case. He had appealed against his conviction in January 2020 and later sought suspension of sentence in March 2022.

The CBI and the victim had strongly opposed the suspension plea, but the High Court granted bail. Despite this, Sengar remains in jail as he is also serving a 10-year sentence in another CBI murder case.

After reviewing the High Court’s decision, the CBI has approached the Supreme Court seeking intervention. The victim and her family have voiced strong opposition to the bail order. Several opposition parties have also criticised the court’s decision, highlighting public concern over accountability in high-profile sexual assault cases.

The Supreme Court is expected to examine the SLP and decide whether to uphold or stay the Delhi High Court’s bail order.