Unnao Rape Case: SC Questions Need For CRPF Security, Seeks Victim’s Response

The Supreme Court has given the last chance to the Unnao rape victim to respond to the Central Government’s petition seeking the removal of her CRPF security cover. A bench of Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Justice Prasanna B. Varale will hear the case again on March 25.

During the hearing, the victim’s lawyer requested additional time to respond. Lawyer Mahmood Pracha, who previously represented the victim, stated that they no longer require CRPF security. Advocate Rajat Nair, appearing for the Centre, argued that the victim and her family are no longer in Delhi and that a threat assessment report suggests they do not need continued CRPF protection.

The Central Government has filed an application to amend the Supreme Court’s August 2019 order, which granted CRPF security to 14 individuals linked to the Unnao rape case security cover. The Centre now seeks to withdraw that protection.

BJP-expelled leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar is serving a life sentence for kidnapping and raping a minor in Unnao in 2017. He was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for the custodial death of the victim’s father, who was arrested under the Arms Act and died on April 9, 2018.

The Supreme Court had ordered CRPF protection for the victim and her family on August 1, 2019, while transferring five related cases from Lucknow to Delhi. It also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay ₹25 lakh compensation to the victim. Meanwhile, Sengar’s appeal against his conviction is still pending in the Delhi High Court. The Supreme Court will decide on the Unnao rape case security cover issue in the next hearing.

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