Unnao custodial death: Delhi High Court seeks AIIMS report after Jaideep Sengar says he has cancer

The Delhi High Court has directed the Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to constitute a medical board to examine whether Jaideep Singh Sengar, a convict in the Unnao custodial death case, is indeed suffering from cancer as claimed in his plea seeking a further suspension of his jail sentence..A Division Bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja passed the order on February 24 while hearing Senger’s plea for extension of the interim suspension of his sentence on medical grounds..Jaideep Sengar is the brother of expelled BJP legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar. He was convicted in March 2020 by a Delhi court for his role in the custodial death of the Unnao rape survivor’s father. Sengar has claimed that he is suffering from Stage-IV oral cancer with suspected recurrence, osteoradionecrosis, trismus and chronic jaw infection.He submitted that he had undergone surgery at AIIMS in October 2020 and continues to require specialised treatment, which cannot be adequately provided in prison..However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the plea, placing on record a detailed verification report dated February 20, 2026.The agency told the Court that several prescriptions and medical documents filed by Sengar were found to be fake or fabricated after verification with the concerned hospitals and doctors. It also pointed out that one of the prescriptions relied upon by him actually related to an entirely different patient. While acknowledging that some past treatment records appeared to be genuine, the CBI argued that there was no credible material to show that Sengar is currently suffering from Stage IV cancer.Counsel appearing for the victim also opposed the application, submitting that the medical documents had not been properly verified and alleging that Sengar had earlier misused the liberty granted to him..Noting the serious dispute over the authenticity of the medical records, the High Court held, "In matters concerning suspension of sentence on medical grounds, the Court must be guided by reliable and objective medical opinion and documents."The Court observed that an independent evaluation by a duly constituted medical board was necessary to determine Sengar’s present health condition..Accordingly, the Court directed the Director of AIIMS, New Delhi, to set up a medical board to carry out a comprehensive assessment of Sengar and report on whether he is suffering from cancer or any other life-threatening illness, and if so, at what stage. The board has also been asked to clarify whether the required treatment can be adequately provided within the jail hospital or through escorted visits to government hospitals..The Jail Superintendent has been directed to produce Sengar before the medical board on February 26 and ensure that all relevant medical records are made available. The matter will be taken up on March 2, 2026, next, after the medical board submits its report..Senior Advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey along with advocates SPM Tripathi, Hemant Shah, Satyam Sharma, Saurabh Pal, Yash Saxena, Samarth Kasana Panwar, Saurav Rajput and Aswariya Singh appeared for Sengar. .The CBI was represented by Special Public Prosecutor Anubha Bhardwaj along with advocates Ananya Shamshery, Anchal Kashyap, Mayank Bawa, Riddhi Grover and Vijay Misra.The victim/complainant was represented by advocates Mehmood Pracha, Jatin Bhatt and Kshitij Singh..[Read Order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.