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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court, on Thursday, extended interim relief granted to ex-MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar on medical grounds. Sengar had submitted a plea as he has cataract surgery scheduled for January 24. The bench of Justice Vikas Mahajan directed the investigating officer to verify Sengar's medical documents. 

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the extension of his medical bail, which had been granted in connection with the custodial death of the father of the Unnao rape victim. 

Sengar’s counsel argued that the extension was necessary as his client’s medical bail was ending just days before the scheduled surgery. The CBI, however, opposed the request, contending that the original bail order did not allow for an extension. Sengar's counsel countered this, asserting that the order did not explicitly prohibit an extension on medical grounds.

Previously, the court had suspended Sengar’s sentence on medical grounds from December 10 to December 20, 2024, which was later extended until January 20, 2025. Sengar, who is serving a ten-year sentence in the custodial death case, had sought interim suspension of his sentence due to health issues. Advocate Kanhaiya Singhal noted that while Sengar had been granted a two-week suspension in a separate POCSO case, he could not secure release as the custodial death sentence remained in effect.

On December 5, 2024, the court granted Sengar interim bail for two weeks on medical grounds. He is serving a life sentence in the POCSO case related to the Unnao rape conviction in 2018. A division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Amit Sharma had earlier approved the interim bail to facilitate his treatment, directing his admission to AIIMS in New Delhi. The court also instructed the medical superintendent to assess his condition and report whether AIIMS could provide the required treatment.

Sengar claimed to suffer from diabetes, cataracts, retinal issues, and other ailments. The court had mandated that he remain in Delhi during his treatment and maintain contact with the investigating officer. It further directed that after his evaluation, the medical superintendent would file a report on whether AIIMS could manage his treatment.

Senior Advocate N. Hariharan mentioned that Sengar preferred treatment for his retinal condition at Shankar Netralaya in Chennai. Conversely, Advocate Mehmood Pracha, representing the rape survivor, opposed the bail application, arguing that previous medical reports did not indicate the necessity for treatment outside AIIMS. He also expressed concerns about potential threats to the victim’s safety if Sengar were granted interim bail.

For Petitioner: Senior Advocate N Hariharan with Advocates S.P.M Tripathi, Aishwarya Singh, Rahul Poonia, Punya Rekha Angara, Vasundhara N., Sana Singh, and Vinayak
For CBI: Advocate Mehmood Pracha 
Case Title: Kuldeep Singh Senger v Central Bureau Of Investigation

[Inputs: ANI News]