The Gujarat High Court has decisively dismissed a petition filed by Narayan Sai, the son of controversial spiritual leader Asaram, who sought the suspension of his life sentence stemming from a serious rape conviction. In a ruling delivered on Monday, the bench of Justices Ilesh J. Vora and R.T. Vachhani concluded that Sai’s actions indicated a lack of genuine interest in expediting his appeal against the conviction, suggesting instead that he was employing tactics to delay proceedings.
The case against Narayan Sai emerged in 2013 when two sisters from Surat came forward with separate allegations of rape and illegal confinement against both him and his father, Asaram. Following a thorough investigation and subsequent trial, Sai was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Surat court in 2019. Currently, he remains incarcerated at a prison facility in Surat, where he has been serving his sentence since the verdict.
In his petition, Sai argued that he had already spent 11 years in custody and pointed out the significant delays in hearing his appeal. However, the High Court highlighted his lack of cooperation in bringing the appeal to a final hearing. The bench noted that since his sentencing, Sai had repeatedly sought temporary or permanent bail through numerous applications, which ultimately delayed the judicial process.
The High Court also recalled its previous attempts to set a date for the final hearing of Sai’s appeal, stating that it had rejected one of his bail applications on substantive grounds back in 2021. This history of filings and appeals, according to the judges, showcased a pattern of behavior aimed more at stalling the legal process rather than advancing his case.
This ruling not only underscores the ongoing legal battles surrounding high-profile cases in India but also highlights the judiciary’s stance on ensuring that justice is delivered without unnecessary delays. As public scrutiny continues to grow around cases involving influential figures, the court’s decision may serve as a significant precedent in how similar cases are handled in the future.
