Unnao rape case: SC to hear CBI challenge to Sengar's life-term suspension on Dec 29; what survivor told agency

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to hear the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) appeal on Monday (December 29) challenging the Delhi high court's decision to suspend the life sentence of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case.A three-judge vacation bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will take up the CBI’s plea.The survivor in the Unnao case has levelled serious allegations against the investigating officer, claiming the IO "colluded with the judge" to ensure that "the other party won." Her accusations come days after the Delhi high court granted bail to Sengar and suspended his life term.The survivor and her mother met CBI officials on Saturday to submit a formal complaint on the matter.ANI quoted the survivor as saying, "The complaint is that the investigating officer has wronged me. He colluded with the judge to ensure that the other party won, so that the rape victim would lose, her courage would be broken, and she would not be able to pursue the case further." She added, "Had the CBI stood with my lawyer, we wouldn't have had to see this day. We would have won, and they would have lost."Sengar was convicted by a trial court in December 2019 for raping a minor in Unnao in 2017, and was sentenced to life imprisonment along with a Rs 25 lakh fine. He moved the Delhi high court in January 2020 challenging the conviction, and in March 2022 sought a suspension of his sentence. Throughout the legal proceedings, the CBI and the survivor strongly opposed any relief, citing the seriousness of the offence and potential risks to the complainant and witnesses. However, on December 23, the High Court granted Sengar bail with specific conditions.