The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s refusal to suspend his sentence in the custodial death case linked to the Unnao rape survivor’s father. Instead, the top court directed the High Court to hear Sengar’s appeal on an out-of-turn basis and decide it within three months.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N V Anjaria said that any appeal filed by the victim’s family should also be taken up together with Sengar’s petition by the High Court.

High Court asked to hear matter expeditiously

The bench was hearing Sengar’s challenge to a January 19 order of the Delhi High Court, which had declined to suspend his 10-year jail term in the custodial death case. During the proceedings, the court was informed that Sengar’s appeal is scheduled for hearing before the High Court on February 11.

The Chief Justice expressed strong disapproval over statements being made in the media by the victim’s counsel. Observing that the court was aware of the surrounding coverage, Justice Kant said there should be no “parallel trial” outside the courtroom.

Background of the case

On March 13, 2020, a trial court sentenced Sengar to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh in connection with the custodial death of the rape survivor’s father. The court had then ruled that “no leniency” could be shown for the killing of a family’s “sole bread earner”.

The survivor’s father was arrested under the Arms Act in April 2018 and later died in custody due to alleged police brutality. The trial court convicted Sengar under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, holding that there was no intention to kill, but awarded the maximum sentence prescribed under the provision.

Related appeals still pending

Sengar’s appeals against his conviction in the custodial death case, as well as his December 2019 conviction in the rape case—where he was sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life—are currently pending before the High Court.

In the rape case, the High Court had suspended Sengar’s sentence on December 23, 2025, during the pendency of his appeal. However, the Supreme Court stayed that suspension on December 29.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday praised the United States cricket team for their performance against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup, saying the side played “fabulously” despite losing the match.

Goyal made the remarks while responding to light-hearted comments by US Ambassador Sergio Gor at a reception hosted by the diplomat. Both were present at the India-USA T20 World Cup match played on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, the minister acknowledged the rapid progress made by the US cricket team in recent years. He also joked that trade policy might have changed the match’s outcome.

“The US may not have won the match, but for a country which has not known cricket and has started playing only a few years ago, the performance was fabulous,” Goyal said.

Referring to Ambassador Gor’s comments, he added humorously that if the US had made reciprocal tariffs zero, “you would possibly have won the match”.

India seal first win of the tournament

India registered their first victory of the tournament with a 29-run win over the USA. After being asked to bat first, India posted 161 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.

Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, hitting 10 fours and four sixes. Ishan Kishan contributed 20 off 16 deliveries, while Tilak Varma added 25 off 16 balls.

For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk returned figures of 4 for 29, while Harmeet Singh picked up two wickets for 26 runs.

USA fall short in chase

Chasing 162, the USA were restricted to 132 for eight, falling short by 29 runs.

Milind Kumar scored 34 off 34 balls, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37 off 31) and Shubham Ranjane (37 off 22) provided resistance in the middle order.

India’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Mohammed Siraj taking three wickets for 29 runs. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh chipped in with two wickets each.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar was admitted to a private hospital in Pune on Monday after experiencing cough and difficulty in breathing. The 85-year-old leader was brought from his residence in Baramati to the medical facility in the afternoon.

Doctors conducted a CT scan after his arrival, which revealed a chest infection. According to the hospital’s chief cardiologist and managing trustee, Pawar is currently undergoing medical evaluation, and doctors are considering keeping him under observation for at least a day.

A team of specialists is monitoring his condition, and further treatment decisions will be taken based on the test results and clinical assessment.

Sharad Pawar was accompanied to the hospital by his daughter and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule and her husband, Sadanand Sule. After reaching the hospital, Pawar stepped out of the vehicle on his own before being taken inside in a wheelchair.

Party sources said Pawar, an oral cancer survivor, has been suffering from a throat infection along with persistent cough and chest congestion.