"Message it sends to country's daughters is spine-chilling": RJD's Manoj Jha condemns Sengar's bail in Unnao Rape case

New Delhi [India], December 27 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Kumar Jha, on Saturday, condemned the Delhi High Court's order that suspended the sentence and granted an unconditional bail to former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case, calling it "spine-chilling."
He stated that mere slogans for women's empowerment are not enough to ensure execution in the country.
"The message it sends to the country's daughters is spine-chilling... Overall, the message is that sloganeering like 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' and mere rhetoric don't cut it," Jha said.
Referring to the Nirbhaya rape case of 2012, he further asserted that the systems in the country haven't changed despite repeated instances of crimes against women.
"When the Nirbhaya incident happened, people took to the streets, transcending political affiliations... But the systems haven't changed...," RJD leader told ANI.
Earlier today, BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo applauded the decision of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to challenge the Delhi High Court's order and criticised Congress for politicising the situation.
"CBI has taken the right step because the victim also felt insecure," the BJP spokesperson said.
Deo criticised the Congress party for allegedly politicising the matter by taking the victim to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
"It is unfortunate that Congress leaders took her to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and tried to politicise the whole situation. This should not be done in politics," Deo said.
He stressed the need to wait for the Supreme Court's verdict, suggesting the case shouldn't be used for political purposes.
"If one daughter is seeking justice and the court hasn't issued a judgment, we should wait for the judgment...," Deo said.
The CBI has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the Delhi High Court's order dated December 23, 2025, which suspended Sengar's life sentence pending disposal of his appeal and granted him bail subject to certain conditions.
Sengar was convicted in December 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh in the Unnao rape case.
He had filed an appeal against his conviction before the Delhi High Court in January 2020 and later moved a plea seeking suspension of sentence in March 2022.
The CBI and the victim strongly opposed the plea for suspension of sentence through their respective counsels. However, the High Court allowed the plea and granted bail to the accused. (ANI)