Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: The survivor of the 2017 Unnao rape case has appealed for urgent support, alleging that the daughters of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar and their supporters are circulating material on social media that exposes her identity and puts her safety at risk.
In a video message released on Saturday, the survivor said that for several days, posts on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have been used to identify her publicly. “I am seeing it everywhere,” she said, warning that such actions could endanger her and her family.
Earlier this week, on January 5, the survivor submitted an application to the Central Bureau of Investigation, alleging that private images and posts were being shared online to reveal her identity and intimidate her. She said senior officials had assured her that the complaint would be examined.
“If videos or photos of girls like me are posted online, the intent is clearly to trouble and threaten us,” she told ANI, adding that she faces a “lifelong threat” and fears for the safety of her children and relatives. She urged the Union home minister and the Uttar Pradesh chief minister to intervene.
Sengar, a former Uttar Pradesh MLA, was convicted in December 2019 for the rape of a minor and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh. On December 23, the Delhi High Court suspended his sentence and granted bail, citing the period already served and raising questions about the applicability of certain provisions.
The decision triggered protests by the survivor, her family and activists, who argued that her security would be compromised.
On December 29, the Supreme Court of India stayed the high court’s order, directing that Sengar not be released from custody. Hearing the CBI’s plea, the top court was told that the case involved a “horrific rape” of a minor and underscored the need to protect the survivor.
Following the Supreme Court’s stay, Sengar’s daughter, Ishita Sengar, released an open letter describing her family’s distress and the abuse she claims to have faced online over the years.
Meanwhile, the survivor’s mother welcomed the apex court’s intervention and reiterated her demand for justice and sustained protection for her daughter.
