The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will appeal to the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court's order that granted bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a former BJP MLA, who was convicted in the 2017 Unnao rape case. Officials confirmed on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, that the decision to challenge the Delhi High Court's order followed a thorough examination of the ruling by a division bench of the High Court.

Sengar had approached the Delhi High Court challenging the life sentence that a trial court had awarded him in December 2019. The CBI and the victim's family strongly opposed this appeal, citing concerns about safety and alleged threats. The CBI stated that it had submitted timely replies and written arguments, while the victim's family emphasized security concerns.

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court suspended Sengar's sentence, noting that he had already served approximately seven years and five months in prison. The suspension will remain in effect until the court decides on his appeal against the conviction and sentence. While granting bail, the High Court imposed strict conditions, including a personal bond of ₹15 lakh with three sureties of the same amount. The court also ordered Sengar not to enter a five-kilometer radius of the survivor's residence in Delhi and prohibited him from threatening her or her mother, with violation of these conditions leading to automatic cancellation of his bail.

Despite the bail order in the rape case, Sengar will remain incarcerated, as he is separately serving a 10-year jail term in connection with the custodial death of the rape survivor's father. He has not been granted bail in that case.

According to a CBI spokesperson, the agency will file a special leave petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court against the High Court's decision to suspend Sengar's life sentence while his appeal is pending. The CBI highlighted that it had strongly opposed Sengar's bail application in the High Court, presenting timely replies and written arguments to draw attention to the seriousness of the case and the dangers involved in granting bail. The agency is determined to take the matter to the Supreme Court with full force.

The 2017 Unnao rape case involves the kidnapping and rape of a minor by Sengar. The case garnered significant public attention and raised concerns about the safety and security of the victim and her family.