Delhi High Court Rejects Kuldeep Singh Sengar's Plea to Suspend Sentence in Unnao Custodial Death Case

The Delhi High Court on January 19, 2026, rejected former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's plea to suspend his 10-year sentence for the custodial death of the Unnao rape survivor's father. Justice Ravinder Dudeja noted that although Sengar had served about 7.5 years, relief was not justified due to the gravity of the offence, his criminal antecedents, and delays partly caused by his multiple applications. The court directed that Sengar's appeal be heard expeditiously. Sengar is also serving a life sentence for the rape of the minor survivor. The case involves the father's arrest under the Arms Act and subsequent death in custody in 2018, linked to police brutality. The trial court convicted Sengar and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, awarding maximum punishment under Section 304 of the IPC. The Supreme Court recently stayed a Delhi High Court order granting Sengar bail in the rape case amid public outcry and ongoing appeals.