Beyond the verdict: Unnao rape case and the long shadow of intimidation

By Bharat Dogra

Public sympathy for a woman who was sexually assaulted as a minor in 2017 has been growing steadily across India. At the same time, anger against the main accused has intensified as more people become aware of the prolonged suffering endured by the survivor and her family, who continue to face threats allegedly linked to powerful interests.

On December 25, The Indian Express reported that public outrage has increased following the Delhi High Court’s decision to suspend the life sentence of former in the Unnao rape case involving a minor. The report noted that Sengar remains in prison due to a separate conviction related to the of the victim’s father, for which he was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has since stated that it will file a special leave petition before the Supreme Court at the earliest against the High Court’s order granting bail to Sengar. The agency also clarified that it had opposed Sengar’s bail application during earlier proceedings.

Meanwhile, the survivor and her family members have reiterated that they continue to face threats, either directly from the convicted individual or from those allegedly acting on his behalf. These concerns acquire added significance when the sequence of events over the past several years is examined closely.

On December 25, Dainik Bhaskar, a leading Hindi daily, published a detailed timeline of developments related to the case, beginning with the crime committed on June 4, 2017, when the minor girl from a poor family reportedly approached Sengar seeking employment. On June 20, 2017, the victim and her father lodged an against him. On April 3, 2018, complaints were filed against the victim’s father by persons allegedly linked to Sengar, leading to his arrest. Six days later, on April 9, 2018, the victim’s father died in police custody.

In 2018, a witness connected to the custodial death reportedly died under mysterious circumstances. In July 2019, the victim’s uncle was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in a separate case. On July 28, 2019, a road accident involving a truck resulted in the deaths of two of the victim’s aunts, while the victim and her lawyer sustained serious injuries. This occurred months before Sengar was sentenced to life imprisonment on December 19, 2019. A day later, on December 20, the injured lawyer succumbed to his injuries.

The pattern of deaths and serious injuries involving the victim’s family members, a key witness, and a lawyer associated with the case raises disturbing questions. These incidents do not appear to be isolated or unrelated. Rather, they suggest the possibility of systematic intimidation or violence aimed at silencing those connected to the pursuit of justice in this case. This underscores the need for a wider and deeper investigation to uncover all dimensions of the alleged criminal activities involved.

History offers parallels where a series of unexplained deaths surrounding a major case prompted broader scrutiny. Following the assassination of U.S. President , multiple witnesses and individuals connected to the investigation died under unusual circumstances, leading to serious public debate about the likelihood of such events being purely coincidental. conducted at the time suggested that the probability of these deaths being entirely unrelated was extremely low.

Similarly, in the present case, it is imperative to thoroughly investigate all deaths and injuries occurring under suspicious circumstances involving those closely associated with the survivor’s pursuit of justice. Equally important is ensuring comprehensive protection and support for the survivor and her family.

This case has assumed wider significance in the context of women’s safety and the integrity of the justice system in India. The public will be watching closely to see whether the survivor and her family ultimately receive justice, protection, and closure.

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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, Man over Machine, When the Two Streams Met, and A Day in 2071

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