The Supreme Court on Monday (March 9, 2026) recognised the right of the Unnao rape survivor to be heard, and ordered her impleadment as a party in a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the grant of bail to the accused former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, Kuleep Singh Sengar, in the case.
The Bench of the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, however, did not entertain an application filed by the survivor’s cousin, a minor, citing a threat to his life. The court said the applicant could seek an independent legal remedy, possibly before the jurisdictional High Court, rather than attempt to implead himself in the CBI petition before the apex court.
