Overview
- The court said prolonged incarceration and health claims could not outweigh the gravity of the offence and Sengar’s criminal antecedents.
- Delay in listing the appeal was deemed insufficient to grant relief, with the judge noting repeated suspension applications also contributed to the slowdown.
- Both the CBI and the survivor opposed suspension, arguing there is a continuing threat to the survivor and that attempts were made to silence her family.
- The defence argued Sengar has been in custody since April 13, 2018 with about 11 months left on the 10-year term, disputed his presence during the assault, and cited contradictions in witness accounts.
- In the separate rape case, the Supreme Court on December 29, 2025 stayed a Delhi High Court order that had briefly suspended his life sentence, and Sengar remains in custody.