New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday began hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation’s plea seeking cancellation of bail and return to jail of former BJP MLA and Unnao rape convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case.

Appearing for the CBI, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta described the matter as a “very horrific case”, urging the court to set aside the Delhi High Court order that suspended Sengar’s life sentence and granted him bail. The CBI has categorically demanded that Sengar be sent back to prison, arguing that the relief granted ignores the gravity of the offence and the age of the survivor.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant questioned whether the accused’s status as a public servant becomes irrelevant when the victim is a minor. Responding, the Solicitor General submitted that it does, emphasising that penetrative sexual assault is a distinct offence under law, with separate punishment prescribed.

Mehta further explained that the law treats such crimes as aggravated offences, particularly where the accused is in a position of authority or dominance over the victim. Referring to the trial court’s conviction order, he said the prosecution had conclusively established Sengar’s guilt under Section 376 of the IPC and Section 5(c) of the POCSO Act.

The trial court had clearly recorded that the survivor was a minor aged 15 years and 10 months at the time of the offence, Mehta told the bench, adding that Sengar’s appeal against the conviction is still pending, making continued incarceration necessary.

As the hearing began, APCC vice president V Gurunadham expressed hope that the Supreme Court would deliver a judgment in favour of the Unnao rape survivor.