The Supreme Court of India has rejected the government’s plea to withdraw CRPF security cover for the Unnao rape survivor, citing continued threats to her safety. However, the court has permitted the removal of protection for her family members and witnesses, stating that they can seek local police assistance if they still feel endangered.
A bench comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and P B Varale ruled that the survivor’s security will remain intact until further notice, while family members and witnesses will no longer be under CRPF protection since the trial has concluded and former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Background of the Unnao Case
The Unnao rape case, which shocked the nation, dates back to June 4, 2017, when a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. The accused, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a former BJP MLA, was convicted on December 16, 2019, and sentenced to life imprisonment four days later. The case gained widespread attention due to delays in justice, police inaction, and threats faced by the survivor and her family.
In April 2018, the survivor attempted self-immolation outside the residence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to protest police inaction and harassment. Shortly after, her father was falsely arrested, tortured in custody, and later died due to injuries sustained.
The CBI filed two chargesheets in the case:
The first in July 2018, charging Sengar with rape
The second shortly after, accusing Sengar, his brother, three policemen, and five others of framing the survivor’s father.
In July 2019, the survivor was critically injured in a suspicious truck collision that also killed two of her relatives. Investigations later revealed that her family had been receiving threats and had written to the Chief Justice of India seeking protection.
SC’s Ruling on Security Cover
Following public outrage, the Supreme Court ordered CRPF security for the survivor, her family, and lawyer in August 2019. Recently, the Centre filed a petition to withdraw this protection, arguing that a security review found no major threats.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, suggested that either Delhi or Uttar Pradesh police could handle security if required. The Uttar Pradesh government confirmed that the survivor and her family are currently residing in Delhi.
While the Supreme Court accepted the argument to withdraw protection for family members and witnesses, it refused to remove CRPF cover for the survivor. The bench ruled:
“We make it clear that the CRPF cover for the victim shall continue till further orders of this court.”
The court acknowledged that the family and witnesses initially required protection due to severe threats, but ruled that the situation had changed post-conviction. However, it ensured that the survivor’s security remains intact and emphasized that her family can request local police protection if needed.
The Unnao rape case remains a landmark in India’s legal history, highlighting the challenges faced by sexual violence survivors in securing justice and protection. Although Sengar is serving a life sentence, the case continues to expose systemic failures and the urgent need for better safeguards for survivors of sexual crimes.
