Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met Unnao rape case victim and her family, who have been protesting against the court granting bail to former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, and assured the family that they would do everything within their capacity to ensure justice, security, and dignity for the victim.
The family requested assistance in securing a top legal team to pursue the case against Sengar, whose life sentence has been suspended. They also requested assistance in relocating to a Congress-ruled state.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also present during the meeting.
Rahul Gandhi assures support
“Leader of the Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi met the Unnao victim and her family, who continue to be denied justice under the BJP’s watch. The family requested assistance in securing a top legal team to pursue the case against her perpetrator, former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, whose life sentence has been suspended despite the heinous nature of his crimes,” Congress leader Pawan Khera said in a post on X.
“The family also requested assistance in relocating to a Congress-ruled state, citing serious concerns for their safety and the threat to their lives. The victim’s husband requested support in securing a better livelihood. Both leaders assured the family that they would do everything within their capacity to ensure justice, security, and dignity for the Unnao victim and her loved ones,” he added.
Speaking to reporters, the victim said that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi promised to help her pursue justice.
‘Rahul Gandhi has given us a lot of strength’
“They assured us that they would help us get justice. This is the first time in the country that a rape accused is going to be released on bail. I want time to meet the Prime Minister and the President. Rahul Gandhi has given us a lot of strength and assured us that we will get justice… This order has weakened the daughters of the country,” the rape victim said.
She said both the Congress leaders had tears in their eyes.
“Both of them had tears in their eyes. They assured us that they would help us get justice. Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were crying after hearing me.
Advocate Mehmood Pracha said that the victim and her family remain under threat.
‘Why is he deserving of mercy?’
“The victim and her family are still under threat… This bail, or suspension of sentence, that has been granted, is a complete perversion of the law. What kind of logic is this?… Why is he deserving of mercy?… It is the duty of all citizens to pass judgment on this… Is this man still deserving of mercy even after all he did, when he continued to orchestrate attacks on her?… What will be the implication of this?” he asked.
“He had her father killed by the police SHO… So being inside or outside a five-kilometre radius makes no difference… The central government is opposing us with all its might, both in and out of court… The Uttar Pradesh government is also opposing us with all its might, hiring top lawyers to argue for the withdrawal of his security and to build a case against him… Given these circumstances, we need time to prepare properly. We don’t want to go into this fight unprepared… But if the public raises its voice, then I have some hope that justice will prevail. However, I have very little hope from the Supreme Court,” he added.
The mother of the 2017 Unnao rape case victim earlier protested over the bail given to former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the case and also expressed her anguish over the security personnel “taking her daughters” in a vehicle.
