The Delhi High Court granted interim bail to former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and Unnao rape case convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar on Wednesday to allow him to undergo cataract surgery.
A bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur directed that Sengar be released on interim bail on Thursday, enabling him to be admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Friday.
"If surgery is not conducted on January 24, Sengar directed to surrender to jail that day," the Court ordered.
The Court further directed that a Delhi Police constable be stationed outside Kuldeep Singh Sengar's ward at AIIMS during his treatment. Sengar has been instructed to surrender on January 27, with the Court clarifying that no further extensions will be granted.
This marks the second time Sengar has been released on medical bail. Initially, the Court had granted him interim bail on medical grounds until December 20, 2024, for a medical assessment by AIIMS. The medical bail was subsequently extended by four weeks, until January 20, with the condition that no further extensions would be permitted.
Following the expiration of his medical bail, Sengar surrendered to Tihar Jail authorities on January 20. He then approached the Court again, requesting a suspension of sentence for 30 days to undergo cataract surgery. Senior Advocate Manish Vashisht argued that Sengar's eyes required immediate attention, including cataract surgery and laser therapy for a retinal issue.
However, Advocate Mehmood Pracha, representing the complainant, opposed the application for interim bail, noting that the Court had previously declined to extend his medical bail.
"Even if the Court had denied further extension of bail, heavens will not fall if he is allowed. He can surrender back the same day," Justice Chawla said.
The Court subsequently granted Kuldeep Singh Sengar interim bail until January 27. The order was issued in response to an application filed as part of his appeal challenging his conviction in the rape case.
Meanwhile, Sengar's application seeking suspension of sentence in the custodial death case of the victim's father was also scheduled for hearing today. Justice Vikas Mahajan allowed the victim's counsel time to respond to the plea, but the Court made it clear that it was not inclined to defer the hearing of the matter.
"I have certain things to place before the Court," Advocate Pracha told the Court.
Granting him time to respond to the application, the Court deferred the case for hearing on January 31.
Website designed, developed and maintained by webexy