New Delhi, August 2, 2025 — A special court in Uttar Pradesh has sentenced former Indian Member of Parliament, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, to life imprisonment for the rape of a minor girl, in a high-profile case that has drawn intense national and international scrutiny over the past several years.
Sengar, who was a powerful legislator from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the time of the offence in 2017, was found guilty under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The verdict marks a significant moment in India’s continuing battle against sexual violence and the long-standing perception of impunity for politically connected offenders.
The victim, who was 17 years old at the time, accused Sengar of luring her to his residence in Unnao district under false pretenses before assaulting her. Her persistent pursuit of justice, despite threats and intimidation, sparked national outrage and prompted direct intervention from the Supreme Court of India in 2019.
The court also cited the prolonged trauma faced by the victim and her family — including a suspicious car accident in 2019 that killed two of her relatives and left her critically injured — as aggravating factors in its sentencing.
“This is not just a case of rape. It is a case of gross abuse of power and betrayal of public trust,” the judge said in his remarks while delivering the sentence on Friday.
Following sustained public pressure, Sengar was expelled from the BJP in 2019 and arrested. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) later took over the probe, charging him with rape, criminal conspiracy, and intimidation.
The conviction and sentencing have been widely welcomed by activists and civil society leaders, though many have also pointed out that justice came only after years of pressure, protests, and legal battles.
“The survivor’s courage changed the narrative,” said Ranjana Kumari, Director of the Centre for Social Research in New Delhi. “But for every case like this, there are hundreds where survivors are silenced.”
The verdict is being seen as a test case for India’s ability to hold powerful political figures accountable for serious crimes. While Sengar is expected to appeal the decision in a higher court, legal experts suggest the life sentence sends a strong message against impunity.
Security was heightened at the courthouse ahead of the sentencing due to the high-profile nature of the case, and the victim’s family remains under state protection.
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