Margaretxro at 05:27, 20 March 2026

2026-03-20T05:27:17Z

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{{short description|Gang rape involving a politician in Unnao}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
|location=[[Unnao]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]
|type=[[Rape]], and [[murder]]
|date={{start date|df=yes|2017|06|4}}
|image=File:Protests for the Kathua Unnao Rape cases.jpg|caption=Joint protests for the Unnao and [[Kathua rape case]]
|convicted=[[Kuldeep Singh Sengar]]|verdict=[[Life imprisonment]]}}
The '''Unnao rape case''' refers to the [[gang rape]] of a 17-year-old girl on 4 June 2017 in [[Unnao]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chronology-of-events-in-unnao-rape-case-14641|title=Chronology of events in Unnao rape case|last=Service|first=Tribune News|website=The Tribune|language=en|access-date=2019-12-26}}</ref> On 16 December 2019, former [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] MLA [[Kuldeep Singh Sengar]] was convicted of the rape and on 20 December 2019 he was sentenced to [[life imprisonment]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/unnao-rape-case-expelled-bjp-mla-kuldeep-sengar-convicted/articleshow/72750747.cms|title=Unnao rape case: Expelled MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar convicted|date=16 December 2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ex-bjp-mla-kuldeep-sengar-gets-life-imprisonment-in-unnao-rape-case-1630067-2019-12-20|title=Expelled (only after public outcry in media after almost 10 months after rape) BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar gets life for raping Unnao minor, fined Rs 25 lakh|last=Sharma|first=Poonam|date=20 December 2019|website=India Today|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref> Sengar was also found guilty in the death of the girl's father in judicial custody.

Two [[chargesheet]]s had been filed in this case. The first one was filed a full year after the rape, due to public pressure as the rape victim attempted to self-immolate at the residence of the [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh|Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]]. The first charge, filed by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] on 11 July 2018, accused Sengar, a former [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) from Uttar Pradesh, of the rape.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/cbi-files-charge-sheet-against-bjp-mla-kuldeep-singh-sengar-in-unnao-rape-case/article24390137.ece|title=Unnao gang rape case: BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar named in CBI charge sheet|last=Rashid|first=Omar|date=2018-07-11|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-07-15|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The second was filed two days later accusing Sengar, his brother, three policemen and five other individuals of framing the rape survivor's father as the perpetrator.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/unnao-case-cbi-files-charge-sheet-against-mla-9-others-for-criminal-conspiracy/story-ZND6Iu54yg4g24kkIPclWL.html|title=Unnao case: CBI files charge sheet against MLA, 9 others for criminal conspiracy|date=2018-07-14|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-07-15|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/too-early-to-act-bjp-on-cbi-chargesheet-against-mla-in-unnao-gangrape-case-1283806-2018-07-12|title=Too early to act, BJP on CBI chargesheet against MLA in Unnao gangrape case|website=India Today|date=12 July 2018 |language=en|access-date=2018-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/unnao-rape-case-live-updates-kuldeep-singh-sengar-up-police-fir-against-bjp-mla-yogi-adityanath/1130176/|title=Unnao rape case: Will arrest BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, SIT tells Allahabad HC; Highlights here|work=financialexpress.com|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref>

Citing police inaction on rape case and her father's arrest on false charges, the rape survivor attempted to [[self-immolation|immolate herself]] at the residence of [[Yogi Adityanath]], the [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh|Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]], on 8 April 2018. Her father died in [[judicial custody]] shortly thereafter. These incidents brought public attention to the case, and the incident was widely reported on in the national media in April 2018.<ref name="Hindustan Times">{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/all-that-has-happened-in-unnao-rape-case-a-timeline/story-mawXOV70RXnt74VNdiJ02I.html|title=All that has happened in Unnao rape case, a timeline|date=10 April 2018|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=12 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Indian Express">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/unnao-rape-case-bjp-mla-kuldeep-singh-sengar-arrested-5137445/|title=Unnao rape case: Here's everything you need to know|date=14 April 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=14 April 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43735542|title=Rape inquiry against India BJP lawmaker|date=12 April 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=14 April 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Kathua rape case|Another rape case]], in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], also received national attention during the same period, leading to joint protests seeking justice for both victims.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/congress-march-live-updates-party-holds-nationwide-protest-seeks-justice-in-kathua-unnao-rape-cases-4430627.html|title=Congress march highlights: Party holds nationwide protest, seeks justice in Kathua, Unnao rape cases|work=Firstpost|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/mumbai-protests-against-kathua-unnao-rapes|title=Chennai, Kolkata Take to Streets to Protest Kathua, Unnao Rapes|work=The Quint|access-date=14 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/mumbai-news/hundreds-of-mumbaikars-assemble-to-protest-kathua-unnao-rape-cases-1837404|title=Hundreds Of Mumbaikars Assemble To Protest Kathua, Unnao Rape Cases|work=NDTV.com|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref>

Following a truck collision on 28 July 2019, resulting in the serious injury of the victim and death of two relatives, it was revealed that the family had been threatened and had written to the [[Chief Justice of India]] for help. On 31 July 2019, the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] and Chief Justice acknowledged the case.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-seeks-report-from-its-secretary-general-on-unnao-rape-survivors-letter/article28767327.ece|title=Unnao rape case: Supreme Court takes note of complaint by survivor's family|last=|first=|date=2019-07-31|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2019-08-01|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Incident ==
=== Previous events ===
The victim stated that she was lured by a woman named Shashi Singh, her son, Shubham Singh, and her daughter, Nidhi Singh, to move to [[Kanpur]] with the allurement of securing employment. On the night of 11 June 2017, she went with Shubham Singh and later was allegedly raped multiple times by him and his driver, Awdhesh Tiwari.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/unnao-16261359.html|title=सामूहिक दुष्कर्म के बाद किशोरी को बेचा|work=Dainik Jagran|access-date=2018-05-20|language=hi}}</ref> She was later assaulted by unknown individuals and allegedly sold to one Brajesh Yadav for ₹ 60,000.<ref name=":0" /> A [[First Information Report]] (FIR) was registered under section 363 and 366 of the [[Indian Penal Code]] (IPC) on 20 June 2017 against Shubham Singh and Awdhesh Tiwari. A day later, [[Uttar Pradesh Police]] located the victim in a village in [[Auraiya]] and sent her for a medical examination. On 22 June 2017, she recorded her statement in front of a Judicial Magistrate under Section 164 of the [[Code of Criminal Procedure (India)|Code of Criminal Procedure]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blog.ipleaders.in/recording-of-statement-under-section-164-crpc/|title=Examination of witness under section 164 of CrPc - iPleaders|last=Pandey|first=Sushant|date=2018-01-12|work=iPleaders|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en-US}}</ref> (CrPC) in which she narrated her ordeal and named Shubham Singh, Awdhesh Tiwari, Brijesh Yadav and other unknown assailants for abduction and gang rape.<ref name=":0" /> A second FIR was registered later under [[Child sexual abuse laws in India#The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act|the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act]] (POCSO) and the accused were subsequently detained.

=== Complaint ===
In an open letter written on 17 August 2017 to the [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh|Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]], [[Yogi Adityanath]], the victim stated that, prior to the events of 11 June, she had been raped on 4 June at 8:00 p.m. ([[Indian Standard Time|IST]]) in the house of Sengar, a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] from the [[Unnao (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Unnao constituency]], and a member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. The complaint said that she had entered the house seeking Sengar's assistance in finding employment.<ref name="Hindustan Times" /><ref name="Indian Express" /> Her statement was recorded by the police on 22 June, but did not allow her to name her assailant.<ref name="Hindustan Times" /><ref name="Indian Express" /> On 5 April 2018, the woman's father was arrested and placed in [[judicial custody]], allegedly after he was assaulted by supporters of Sengar. A medical examination found injuries consistent with his having been beaten. He stated that Sengar's brother Atul had led the assault; no action was taken in response to this complaint at that time.<ref name="Hindustan Times" /><ref name="Indian Express" /> Four days later, the victim attempted to [[self-immolation|immolate herself]] in front of the residence of Adityanath, stating that the police had taken no action against the accused.<ref name="Hindustan Times" /><ref name="Indian Express" /> A day later, on 9 April, her father died in hospital of his injuries, leading to the arrest of Atul Sengar and the suspension of six police officers.<ref name="BBC" /> The death and the immolation attempt led to widespread outrage, after which an FIR was registered against Sengar. The state government handed the case over to the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]]. The case was subsequently shifted to the [[Allahabad High Court]].<ref name="BBC" /><ref name="Indian Express" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/unnao-rape-case-live-updates|title=Unnao Rape: FIR Filed Against BJP MLA, Case Transferred to CBI|work=The Quint|access-date=12 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hc-takes-up-unnao-rape-case/article23505711.ece|title=Allahabad HC takes up Unnao rape case|last=Rashid|first=Omar|date=11 April 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=12 April 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/unnao-gang-rape-case-bjp-mlas-wife-demands-narco-test/article23501739.ece|title=Unnao gang rape case: BJP MLA's wife demands narco test of husband, minor|last=Rashid|first=Omar|date=11 April 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=12 April 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

=== Arrests ===
On 13 April 2018, Kuldeep Sengar was taken in by the CBI for questioning.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rape-accused-bjp-lawmaker-kuldeep-singh-sengar-taken-in-for-questioning-by-cbi-1836914|title=Rape-Accused BJP Lawmaker Kuldeep Singh Sengar Taken In For Questioning By CBI|work=NDTV.com|access-date=13 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/allahabad-high-court-orders-arrest-of-bjp-lawmaker-kuldeep-singh-sengar-1837187|title=Allahabad High Court Orders Arrest Of BJP Lawmaker Kuldeep Singh Sengar|work=NDTV.com|access-date=13 April 2018}}</ref> Later in the day, on the basis of the Allahabad High Court order, he was arrested and spent a week in judicial custody, and new FIRs were registered.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rape-accused-bjp-mla-kuldeep-singh-sengar-arrested-by-cbi/articleshow/63752330.cms|title=Unnao rape case: Accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar arrested by CBI|work=The Times of India|access-date=13 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjps-kuldeep-singh-sengar-sent-to-7-days-cbi-custody-in-unnao-rape-case-1837622|title=BJP's Kuldeep Singh Sengar Sent To 7 Days' CBI Custody In Unnao Rape Case|work=NDTV.com|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> A second arrest in the case was made on 14 April of Shashi Singh, who allegedly took the survivor to Sengar on the same day as the incident.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/unnao-rape-case-cbi-makes-second-arrest/article23542193.ece|title=Unnao rape case: CBI makes second arrest|date=14 April 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=14 April 2018|agency=PTI|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The rape victim's uncle, who had started a campaign accusing Sengar of the rape of his niece and the death of the rape victim's father, his elder brother, in custody, was arrested on 21 November 2018 in an 18-year-old gun-firing case.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/unnao-rape-victim-s-uncle-sent-to-jail-hearing-today/story-hLRZVaywqnOz6BcMxAfXpK.html|title=Unnao rape victim's uncle sent to jail, hearing today|date=2018-11-22|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-11-22|language=en}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==

=== Protests ===
The incident made headlines in India in April 2018. Joint protests were held across India demanding justice for both victims. The Prime Minister of India, [[Narendra Modi]], issued a statement condemning the incidents. Following the truck collision on 28 July 2019, there were protests once again, including protests by the opposition in the [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] on 30 July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/unnao-protests-live-updates-bjp-kuldeep-sengar-5862983/|title=Unnao protests LIVE updates: Rape case rocks Parliament, Pralhad Joshi tells Oppn don't politicise it|date=2019-07-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/storm-in-lok-sabha-over-unnao-accident-case-dont-politicise-issue-says-govt/articleshow/70445672.cms|title=Unnao Case: Opposition attacks govt over Unnao accident case; 'don't politicise issue,' counters Union minister|date=30 July 2019|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-07-30|agency=Ist}}</ref>

=== Truck collision ===
On 28 July 2019, the rape victim and her lawyer were seriously injured and two of her family members died when a truck struck their car. The truck had blackened license plates, and the police officers assigned to provide security for the victim were not present, with the explanation that there was no space in the car in which the victim was traveling.<ref name="unnaoIT1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/unnao-rape-survivor-car-accident-all-you-need-to-know-timeline-1574828-2019-07-29|title=Unnao rape survivor accident: What happened and what we know so far|website=India Today|date=29 July 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> These circumstances have led to the wide suspicion of a conspiracy to eliminate the witness and her family.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/unnao-rape-survivor-injured-family-member-killed-as-truck-hits-her-car-in-rae-bareli/article28739623.ece|title=The Hindu}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| align =
| direction =
| width =
| image1 = Protests for the Kathua Unnao Rape cases.jpg
| caption1 =
| image2 = Protests at Parliament Street New Delhi for Unnao Kathua rape cases.jpg
| caption2 =
| footer = Joint protests for the Unnao rape case and [[Kathua rape case]] at [[Sansad Marg|Parliament Street]], [[New Delhi]] on 15 April 2018.
}}

=== Supreme Court Intervention ===

The Chief Justice of India was anguished by the events and, in view of the situation, the CJI-led bench of the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of a total of five cases related to the Unnao incident to Delhi in the court of the District & Sessions Judge, West District, Tis Hazari Court, and also directed protection to the victim's family members, her lawyer and his family members. The victim was also awarded ₹25 lakhs as interim compensation to be paid by the Uttar Pradesh Government.

Further, on 2 August 2019 the same bench also directed that Mahesh Singh, uncle of the rape victim and said to be a key witness in the case, be transferred to Tihar Jail in Delhi from Raebareli Jail.

== Conviction ==
On 16 December 2019, Sengar was convicted of the rape.<ref name=":1" /> On 20 December, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Delhi court and he was fined {{INRConvert|25|l|lk=on|year=2019}} from which Rs 15 lakhs will be paid to the state government to meet the trial and prosecution expenses.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/unnao-rape-kuldeep-sengar-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-by-delhi-court-119122000557_1.html|title=Unnao rape: Kuldeep Sengar sentenced to life imprisonment by Delhi court|last=Team|first=BS Web|date=2019-12-20|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref> Further in March 2020, Sengar was found "guilty of culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy in her father's death".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/unnao-rape-victim-father-death-kuldeep-singh-sengar-convicted-1652295-2020-03-04|title=Unnao rape case: Kuldeep Singh Sengar convicted for death of victim's father|date=4 March 2020|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-03-07}}</ref>

On 23 December 2025, the [[Delhi High Court]] suspended the life sentence and granted bail to Sengar pending appeal. The court directed the convict to furnish a personal bond with sureties of Rs 15 lakh and imposed conditions, including remaining in Delhi, not approaching within a radius of five kilometers of the survivor’s residence, and refraining from contacting, intimidating, or influencing the survivor or her family during the pendency of the appeal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi HC suspends sentence in Unnao rape case, grants bail |work=NDTV |date=23 December 2025}}</ref>

The order drew reactions from the survivor and her family, who expressed concerns regarding their safety. Protests were also reported in New Delhi following the decision.<ref>{{cite news |title=Unnao rape survivor reacts to Delhi HC order |work=The Week |date=23 December 2025}}</ref> The CBI eventually appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, arguing that it undermines public trust and safety.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.indianewsnetwork.com/en/cbi-appeals-supreme-court-against-kuldeep-singh-sengar-bail-20251228|title= CBI Appeals Supreme Court Against Kuldeep Singh Sengar's Bail}}</ref>

On 29 December 2025, the Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court order that suspended Sengar's life term.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-stays-delhi-high-courts-bail-to-ex-mla-kuldeep-sengar-in-2017-unnao-rape-case-says-he-should-not-be-released-10052342?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll|title= Ex MLA Kuldeep Sengar To Stay In Jail, Supreme Court Stays Bail In Unnao Case}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Unnao rape: 'Still hope for justice,' say Kuldeep Sengar's daughters after SC suspends his bail |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2025/12/29/unnao-rape-still-hope-for-justice-say-kuldeep-sengar-s-daughters-after-sc-suspends-his-bail.html |website=The Week |access-date=29 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kuldeep Sengar: Supreme Court stays suspension of life sentence in Unnao rape case |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2lvljx2dqqo |website=www.bbc.com |access-date=29 December 2025 |date=29 December 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Pararia mass rape (1988)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Rape in India}}

[[Category:2017 crimes in India]]
[[Category:June 2017 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:June 2017 in India]]
[[Category:Crime in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rape in India]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in India]]
[[Category:Unnao district]]
[[Category:Incidents of violence against girls]]

2017 Unnao rape case - Revision history

Margaretxro at 05:27, 20 March 2026