On Friday, the Supreme Court refused to stay the life sentence awarded to Narayan Sai—son of self-styled godman Asaram—in a 2013 rape case. However, the Court directed the Gujarat High Court to endeavor to dispose of the pending appeal against Sai’s conviction within three months. A bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice P.B. Varale stated, “We request the High Court to make an effort to dispose of the appeal within three months. We also clarify that both the petitioner and the state government shall extend full cooperation in this process.”
What arguments were presented on behalf of Sai in the Supreme Court?
Senior Advocate N. Hariharan, representing Narayan Sai, informed the Court that despite filing an application for an early hearing, the hearing on his appeal had not yet commenced. The Supreme Court also granted Narayan Sai the liberty to approach the apex court again if his appeal is not disposed of within the three-month timeframe.
In which court is the matter currently pending?
The appeal filed against Narayan Sai’s conviction is pending before the Gujarat High Court. Earlier, on May 4, the High Court had dismissed his plea seeking suspension of the sentence and the grant of bail. In its order, the High Court observed that, given the gravity of the offense, there was no *prima facie* basis to believe there was a reasonable likelihood of the convict’s acquittal. The Court stated that no sufficient grounds existed to stay the sentence or grant bail based on the merits of the case.
What remarks did the High Court make regarding Narayan Sai’s conduct?
The High Court also noted that despite having spent nearly 11 years in prison, Narayan Sai had not cooperated with the final hearing of his appeal since 2019. According to the Court, he attempted to delay the proceedings by filing multiple applications for temporary and permanent bail and showed absolutely no interest in the expeditious disposal of the appeal.
In which case was Narayan Sai sentenced to life imprisonment?
In April 2019, a Surat court sentenced Narayan Sai to life imprisonment in a rape case registered in 2013. The court convicted him under Sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural sexual intercourse), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506(2) (criminal intimidation), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
What is the status regarding the other accused and Asaram?
In the same case, Narayan Sai’s associates—Dharmishtha (alias Ganga), Bhavna (alias Jamuna), and Pawan (alias Hanuman)—were sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment each. Meanwhile, his father, Asaram, has also been convicted in two separate rape cases.