The Delhi High Court is currently reviewing the final appeal submitted by former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar regarding the Unnao Rape case, specifically concerning the victim’s age. During the proceedings held on July 8, 2026, the division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan stated that any disputes regarding the victim’s age will rely on medical reports for resolution. The court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on July 16, 2023.

Defense Claims Contradictory Evidence

During the hearing, Sengar’s legal counsel, including senior advocate N Hariharan and others, contended that significant contradictions exist regarding the timeline of the alleged incident. They highlighted that the incident reportedly occurred between 8 PM and 8:30 PM on June 4, 2017. According to Call Details Records (CDR), Sengar was located in Unnao at that time, making it implausible for him to have reached the scene within such a brief period, given the distance of 15 kilometres.

On July 7, Sengar’s defence team argued that the evidence regarding the victim’s age is inconsistent, with four different documents presenting conflicting dates of birth. Some certificates classify her as a minor, while others indicate she was an adult in July 2017. The defence claimed that the trial court failed to consider these discrepancies and relied heavily on a school certificate issued by a private institution, which they questioned for its validity, citing that the school’s registration occurred much later than the incident.

Additionally, senior counsel Hariharan referred to multiple bone ossification test reports conducted to determine the victim’s age. These reports were carried out at different locations, including Unnao, RML Lucknow, and AIIMS Delhi, raising concerns over which one can be considered reliable for the case. The complexity of the medical evidence adds another layer to the ongoing proceedings.

Co-Accused and Convictions in Focus

During the proceedings, the defence pointed out that, although Sengar was convicted for conspiracy related to the case, his co-accused Shashi Singh had been acquitted. The defence challenged the validity of Sengar’s conviction for criminal conspiracy, questioning how he could be held accountable when his co-accused had been found not guilty.

Sengar, who served as an MLA for Bangarmau, was found guilty in 2018 by District Judge Dharmesh Sharma and was sentenced to a term of ten years in prison for the Unnao Custodial death case, along with other accused. Both of his appeals regarding these convictions remain pending before the Delhi High Court.

The Supreme Court previously intervened to ensure that this case was transferred from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi, directing the need for a timely resolution of the pending appeals. The urgent handling of the case has garnered attention, as the case has evoked significant public interest and legal scrutiny.

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