Shocking scenes played out on the streets of the national capital on Wednesday after Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel allegedly manhandled the Unnao rape survivor and her elderly mother, culminating in the mother being forced to jump off a moving bus.

The disturbing incident occurred as the survivor and her mother were attempting to address the media to protest the Delhi High Court’s decision granting interim relief to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who stands convicted in the 2017 Unnao rape case.

According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, the survivor and her mother were being transported in a CRPF-escorted bus when they attempted to disembark at Mandi House, where they had planned a media interaction. CRPF personnel reportedly refused to halt the bus, citing lack of permission for protests at Mandi House or India Gate, and said they would instead be taken to Jantar Mantar or back home.

In a shocking turn of events, the survivor’s mother was seen standing at the gate of the moving bus while CRPF personnel repeatedly pushed and elbowed her, asking her to jump off. There were no women CRPF personnel present inside the bus, despite it carrying a sexual assault survivor and her mother.

Under sustained pressure, the elderly woman eventually jumped off the moving vehicle as the bus drove away with her daughter still inside.

Speaking to the media later, the survivor’s mother broke down, alleging abuse of power by security forces. “We were only going to protest peacefully. The CRPF took my daughter away and left me on the road. It feels like they want to kill us,” she said.

The survivor echoed similar anguish, questioning the system meant to protect her. “How can the judiciary and authorities do this to us? He has power and money, and we keep suffering,” she said, adding that she would challenge the High Court order in the Supreme Court and seek an urgent hearing.

The incident comes a day after the survivor, her mother, and activist Yogita Bhayana were detained during a protest at India Gate. The family has been living under CRPF protection in Delhi for years following repeated threats and tragedies linked to the case.

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court suspended Sengar’s life sentence in the rape case and granted him conditional bail pending appeal. However, he remains jailed in a separate case related to the custodial death of the survivor’s father.

The alleged manhandling by central forces has triggered sharp criticism from activists and rights groups, with many questioning how a survivor seeking justice could be treated in such a manner in the national capital.