Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 26 : Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has criticised the Unnao rape case bail granted to the main accused Kuldeep Sengar, contrasting it with environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk's detention.
Speaking with ANI, Wadettiwar questioned the government's stance, saying if they have "even a little shame", they should approach a higher court to cancel Sengar's bail and expressed concern over public perception no longer influencing judiciary decisions, warning of potential anarchy.
"A lot of anger was seen among the public after the Unnao rape incident. Kuldeep Sengar, the main accused, has been granted unconditional bail. A rape accused can get bail, but an environmentalist like Sonam Wangchuk is in jail... If the government has even a little shame, they should approach the higher court to get his bail cancelled. Rahul Gandhi raised this issue earlier as well, and today also, he has met the family... There was a time when the public perception would awaken the judiciary, but that is not happening now... This is a very serious issue. A situation of anarchy will arise in the country...," said Wadettiwar.
His remarks came a day after Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met the Unnao rape victim and her family, who have been protesting against the suspension of Sengar's life sentence.
Meanwhile, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanungo in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, criticised Rahul Gandhi, saying attempts to make "political gains" by "forcibly exploiting the tears of a victim" were wrong. However, he welcomed the CBI's challenge to the High Court's bail order in a higher court.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "What the Leader of Opposition did yesterday, wanting to make political gains by forcibly exploiting the tears of a victim, is wrong... In this case, if the High Court has granted bail to a convicted criminal and the agency (CBI) has appealed to a higher court to challenge that bail, then this is a welcome move; everyone should welcome it. I hope that justice is done to the victim's daughter in the same way as it was done earlier..."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met Unnao victim and her family, who have been protesting against the court granting bail to former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, and assured the family that they would do everything within their capacity to ensure justice, security, and dignity for the victim and her loved ones.
The family requested assistance in securing a top legal team to pursue the case against Sengar, whose life sentence has been suspended. They also requested assistance in relocating to a Congress-ruled state.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also present during the meeting.
Speaking to reporters, the victim said that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi promised to help her pursue justice.
"They assured us that they would help us get justice. This is the first time in the country that a rape accused is going to be released on bail. I would like time to meet with the Prime Minister and the President. Rahul Gandhi has given us significant strength and assured us that we will get justice... This order has weakened the daughters of the country," the rape victim said.
Advocate Mehmood Pracha said that the victim and her family remain under threat.
A division bench of the Delhi High Court, comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, suspended the life sentence and granted bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar. He has been granted relief on the condition that he furnish a bail bond of Rs 15 lakh.
However, he will remain in custody as he has not yet been granted bail in the victim's father's custodial death matter. An appeal and application for suspension of sentence is pending before the High Court of Delhi. He was sentenced to 10 years in that case.
While granting bail, the High Court directed that Sengar must not enter the 5-kilometre radius around the victim's residence. It is also directed that Sengar Shall remain in Delhi. He shall not contact the victim's family members.