Protests erupted outside the Delhi High Court on Friday after the court suspended the jail term of former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who was convicted in the Unnao rape case. Demonstrators, holding placards and raising slogans demanding justice for the survivor, expressed anger over the decision, calling it a blow to the fight against sexual violence and accountability.

Women activists from the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) participated in the protest along with anti-rape activist Yogita Bhayana and the survivor’s mother. Protesters shouted slogans such as “Balatkariyo ko sanrakshan dena band kro” (stop protecting rapists), accusing the system of favouring powerful accused. Speaking to the media, the survivor’s mother said the decision had shattered her faith, adding that her daughter had already endured immense suffering in the pursuit of justice.

She clarified that she was not questioning the entire judiciary but criticised the judges responsible for the order. “Earlier, judges gave us justice. Now the accused has been granted bail. This is an injustice to our family,” she said, adding that the family would approach the Supreme Court, where she still has faith. The Delhi High Court, while suspending Sengar’s sentence during the pendency of his appeal, imposed strict conditions, including barring him from coming within a five-kilometre radius of the survivor’s residence or threatening her or her mother. However, Sengar will remain in jail as he is serving a separate 10-year sentence in the custodial death case of the survivor’s father. Police at the protest site warned demonstrators that protests were not permitted there and asked them to move to Jantar Mantar.