Unnao Rape Case: Ex-BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar To Spend Rest Of His Life In Jail, Fined Rs 25 Lakh

A court in Delhi has sentenced expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar to imprisonment for life in the sensational Unnao rape case.The Special CBI Court also imposed a fine of Rs 25 lakh on Sengar, out of which Rs 10 lakh will be given to the victim and remaining Rs 15 lakh to be settled towards prosecution expenses.?

This means that Senger who was found guilty under the POCSO Act will spend the rest of his life behind bars.The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had urged the Tis Hazari Court to give maximum punishment of life term to Senger.

The four-time BJP MLA from Bangermau was charged under the POCSO Act under which sexual assault on a child below the age of 16 years is punishable with imprisonment between 20 years to life.The rape complainant was 17 years old in 2017 when the crime happened.?

Earlier this month, the Court had convicted Sengar under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 5(c) and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.While convicting Sengar, the Court had stated that the prosecution had successfully proved that the rape survivor was minor and that she was sexually assaulted by Sengar.?

According to the complaint, Sengar kidnapped and raped the minor girl between June 11-20, 2017 when she had gone to meet the MLA to request for a job. Even though the victim's family had filed a police complaint, the cops did not act against the powerful politician from the ruling party.Senger continued to evade arrests and in April the complainant's father was allegedly framed in an illegal arms case and arrested by the cops. He died in custody on April 9, 2018, due to alleged torture.?An eye witness of the torture also died under suspicious circumstances a few months later.?

Even though the case was transferred to CBI and Senger was arrested, the BJP continued to back him.?

Earlier this year the rape complainant herself had survived an alleged attempt on her life after a car that she was travelling with her family was hit by a speeding truck that had its number plate blackened and was driving on the wrong side.?

Despite this, the Unnao police claimed that it was a case of an accident and there was no foul play involved. Two of her relatives were killed while the complainant and her lawyer were left critically injured.?

The Supreme Court, taking cognizance of the rape survivor's letter written to then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, had on August 1 transferred all five cases registered in connection with the incident from a Lucknow court to a court in Delhi with directions to hold trial on a day-to-day basis and complete it within 45 days. Senger, along with his brother and eight others have also been booked by the CBI for the road accident case.