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.

Pakistan has officially allowed its national cricket team to play against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, bringing an end to days of uncertainty over the high-profile February 15 clash. The decision follows a late-night government notification reversing an earlier stance to boycott the match.

In its statement, the Pakistan government said the move was taken after considering outcomes of multilateral discussions and appeals from friendly nations. It added that the decision was aimed at protecting the spirit of cricket and ensuring continuity of the global sport.

The clearance means the India-Pakistan match will proceed as scheduled, putting to rest speculation surrounding one of the most watched fixtures in world cricket.

Diplomatic outreach preceded reversal

The turnaround came after discussions involving the Pakistan Cricket Board, Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council, which were held in Lahore. Around the same time, Bangladesh cricket officials urged Pakistan to reconsider its position in the interest of the wider cricketing ecosystem.

Bangladesh’s cricket board chief publicly appealed to Pakistan to take the field, framing the request as one made for the benefit of the game. The appeal also provided Pakistan with diplomatic space to revise its earlier position without appearing to retreat unilaterally.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier publicly supported a boycott of the India match, linking it to developments involving Bangladesh. The subsequent outreach from regional partners helped create a pathway for Islamabad to change course.

ICC stance and broader implications

Following the talks, the ICC confirmed that no penalties would be imposed on Bangladesh despite its non-participation in the tournament. Bangladesh has already been replaced by Scotland in the competition lineup.

The world body also reiterated that all member boards are expected to honour their commitments to ICC events and work collectively to ensure the success of the tournament.

The ICC acknowledged the role played by all stakeholders in resolving the issue, stating that dialogue was conducted in a constructive manner focused on integrity, neutrality and cooperation.

PCB reaction and earlier demands

Before the official government clearance, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi had indicated that the board was not concerned about possible sanctions. During discussions with ICC officials, the PCB had raised demands including resumption of bilateral cricket with India and a proposed tri-series involving Bangladesh.

While bilateral cricket was ruled outside the ICC’s jurisdiction, the tri-series proposal did not find support.

With the government’s approval now in place, Pakistan will take the field against India as scheduled, marking a formal end to the boycott episode.

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.