The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision to suspend the life sentence awarded to expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case. The agency has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the order that granted him bail while his appeal against conviction is pending.

According to officials, the decision to move the apex court was taken after a detailed examination of the order passed by a division bench of the Delhi High Court. The bench had suspended Sengar’s life imprisonment on the ground that he had already spent over seven years in jail.

Why the CBI has approached the apex court

In a statement, a CBI spokesperson said it was decided to challenge the high court’s order at the earliest. The agency maintained that it had strongly opposed the suspension of sentence during the hearing of Sengar’s appeal, along with the family of the survivor, who had raised concerns related to safety and threats.

The former legislator was convicted by a trial court in December 2019 for kidnapping and raping a minor girl in 2017. He later filed an appeal before the Delhi High Court seeking suspension of his sentence during the pendency of the case.

Sengar to remain in jail despite bail order

Despite the high court granting bail in the rape case, Sengar will continue to remain in prison as he is also serving a separate 10-year sentence in connection with the custodial death of the survivor’s father.

While granting bail, the high court imposed multiple conditions, including a personal bond of Rs 15 lakh with three sureties of the same amount. The court also directed Sengar not to enter within a five-kilometre radius of the survivor’s residence in Delhi and restrained him from issuing any threats to her or her mother.

The trial in the Unnao rape case, along with related matters, had earlier been shifted from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi on the directions of the Supreme Court in August 2019.

India has expressed strong concern over a series of violent incidents targeting members of minority communities in Bangladesh, following the lynching of two Hindu men in separate incidents. The Ministry of External Affairs said such attacks are “worrisome” and cannot be ignored, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable.

Speaking on Friday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi has taken serious note of the developments across the border and is closely monitoring the law and order situation. He underlined that continued violence against minorities, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, remains a matter of grave concern for India.

“The unremitting hostility against minorities in Bangladesh at the hands of extremists is deeply troubling,” Jaiswal said, while condemning the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh. He added that incidents of violence cannot be dismissed as exaggeration and expressed hope that perpetrators would be identified and punished.

According to the ministry, over 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities — including killings, arson and land-related crimes — have been documented by independent sources during the tenure of Bangladesh’s interim government. These developments, India said, cannot be brushed aside.

Rajbari killing under investigation

The latest incident took place on Wednesday in Pangsha upazila of Rajbari district, around 145 km west of Dhaka. As per police accounts quoted by media, the victim, identified as Amrit Mondal, was beaten to death by local residents following allegations of extortion.

Police said Mondal was suspected of leading a criminal gang and had allegedly attempted to extort money from a local resident along with his associates. Locals confronted the group and assaulted Mondal, leaving him critically injured. He was later taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead in the early hours of the morning.

Mondal’s body was sent to Rajbari Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination. While most of his alleged associates fled, police said one person was arrested and firearms were recovered. Investigators also noted that Mondal had multiple criminal cases registered against him, including a murder case.

Lynching in Mymensingh sparks outrage

The Rajbari incident came days after another Hindu man was lynched in Mymensingh, triggering widespread outrage. The victim, identified as Dipu Das, also referred to as Dipu Chandra Das, was a factory worker in the city, located about 112 km north of Dhaka.

According to police and local reports, Das was attacked by a mob over allegations of blasphemy. He was first beaten outside a factory and later hanged from a tree. After the killing, his body was left along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and set on fire, leading to traffic disruption. Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, fuelling anger and concern.

Interim government responds

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, condemned the killing and said it does not support illegal activities, mob violence or mass beatings. At the same time, it maintained that the Rajbari incident was not communal in nature, describing it as a violent episode linked to alleged extortion and criminal activities. The administration said legal action would be taken against all those directly or indirectly involved.

India, however, reiterated that violence against minorities is a serious issue and called for effective action to ensure justice and safety for vulnerable communities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to the Sahibzades on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas, remembering their sacrifice and courage. He said the day stands as a reminder of courage, conviction and righteousness, values that continue to inspire generations.

In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister said Veer Bal Diwas is dedicated to remembering the sacrifice of the brave Sahibzades. He recalled the unwavering faith of Mata Gujri Ji and the immortal teachings of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, describing them as ideals that motivate people even today.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister will participate in the national programme marking Veer Bal Diwas at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. He is also scheduled to address the gathering during the event.

Nationwide programmes to mark Veer Bal Diwas

To commemorate Veer Bal Diwas, the Government of India is organising participative programmes across the country. The objective is to inform and educate citizens about the extraordinary courage and supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzades, and to honour the valour of the young heroes of India’s history.

These activities include storytelling sessions, recitations, poster-making and essay-writing competitions. The programmes will be conducted in schools, Child Care Institutions, Anganwadi centres and other educational platforms, along with online activities through the MyGov and MyBharat portals.

Veer Bal Diwas is observed on December 26 to commemorate the martyrdom of Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Prime Minister had announced the observance on the occasion of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in January 2022.

Awardees of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar will also be present at the programme.