The Supreme Court of India refused to suspend the life sentence of self-styled preacher Narayan Sai, son of convicted godman Asaram Bapu, in connection with a 2013 sexual assault case.
A bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice P.B. Varale declined to grant interim relief or bail, directing the Gujarat High Court to expedite and dispose of Sai’s pending appeal against his conviction within three months.
Supreme Court Ruling & Directives
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No Interlocking Relief: The apex court refused to interfere with the Gujarat High Court’s earlier order, which had rejected Sai’s petition for sentence suspension and interim bail.
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3-Month Deadline for High Court: The bench requested the Gujarat High Court to make an endeavor to conclude the appeal hearing within three months, stipulating that both the petitioner and the State must fully cooperate.
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Liberty to Re-approach: Senior Advocate N. Hariharan, appearing for Sai, pointed out that the appeal had remained pending despite applications seeking early disposal. The Supreme Court granted Sai the liberty to approach the top court again if the High Court fails to decide the matter within the given three-month timeframe.
Background & Previous High Court Findings
In May 2026, the Gujarat High Court dismissed Narayan Sai’s plea seeking suspension of sentence, noting that he had failed to demonstrate a prima facie case for acquittal given the gravity of the offense.
| Case Details | Overview |
| Original Conviction | April 2019 by a Surat Sessions Court (awarded Life Imprisonment). |
| Key IPC Sections | Sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural offenses), 323 (assault), 506-2 (criminal intimidation), and 120-B (conspiracy). |
| Incarceration Duration | Over 11 years spent in custody following his arrest in December 2013. |
| High Court Observation | The HC noted that while Sai has served 11 years, he frequently engaged in dilatory tactics—filing multiple interim/temporary bail pleas rather than proceeding with the final appeal argument. |
| Co-Accused Sentences | Three aides—Dharmishtha (Ganga), Bhavna (Jamuna), and Pavan (Hanuman)—were previously sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for conspiracy. |
Note: Narayan Sai’s father, Asaram Bapu, is also serving a life sentence following his conviction in two separate rape cases.
