Unnao rape case: From Kuldeep Sengar's conviction to Supreme Court staying his bail - A timeline

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Delhi High Court’s order granting bail to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case and ruled that he will remain in custody. Issuing notice on the matter, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that the case raised “substantial questions of law.” The court clarified that Sengar will not be released from jail and will continue to serve his sentence in another criminal case.

“In view of peculiar facts where convict is convicted for a separate offence, we stay operation of Delhi High Court order dated December 23, 2025. Thus respondent (Sengar) shall not be released pursuant to the said order," CJI Surya Kant said.

As Kuldeep Sengar faces a major jolt from the top court, here is a timeline of events in the Unnao rape case:

Minor girl kidnapped and raped in 2017

In 2017, former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar kidnapped and raped a 17-year-old girl in Unnao.

Victim's father arrested and died in custody

The rape victim's father was arrested under the Arms Act at the behest of Sengar. He died in custody on April 9, 2018, reportedly due to police brutality.

Kuldeep Singh Sengar convicted 

Sengar was sentenced to a life term after being convicted in the Unnao rape case in December 2019. He was also found guilty in the custodial death of the rape victim's father.

Victim and her mother got CRPF security

Following the custodial death of the victim’s father and considering the sensitivity of the case and threats to the survivor and her family, the Supreme Court on August 1, 2019, directed that CRPF security be provided to the survivor, her mother, other family members, and their lawyer.

Sengar sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment

The court in March 2020 sentenced Sengar to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh in the custodial death case of the rape victim’s father. Sengar's brother was also sentenced to 10 years in jail for his role in the rape victim’s father’s death in custody.

Survivor files FIR against her relatives

The rape survivor in 2023 accused her relatives of snatching government and NGO funds from her and forcing her out of her house. An FIR was filed at the Makhi police station against her mother, sister, uncle, and one other person.

Centre moves SC seeking withdrawal of CRPF security for the victim

The Centre’s lawyer argued in September 2024 that a threat assessment showed that there was no need for security cover, and asked the survivor and her family to respond to the plea for withdrawing CRPF protection.

SC rejects plea to withdraw security cover 

The Supreme Court in March 2025 rejected the plea seeking withdrawal of CRPF security cover for the victim and her family members, stressing that a perception of threat still existed.

Delhi HC suspends Sengar's jail term 

On December 23, 2025, the Delhi High Court suspended Sengar’s life term and granted him bail, following which the rape survivor challenged the verdict.

SC stays Delhi HC order granting bail to Sengar

On December 29, the Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court’s order that suspended Sengar’s life sentence and granted him bail in the Unnao rape case.