SC asks Gujarat HC to decide Narayan Sai’s appeal against rape conviction within three months
The Supreme Court of India has declined to suspend the life sentence of Narayan Sai but ordered the Gujarat High Court to conclude his appeal within three months. The court emphasized the need for an expeditious hearing to resolve the long-pending case.
Why it matters
The ruling highlights the judiciary's push to reduce case backlogs and ensure timely justice in high-profile criminal appeals.
The Supreme Court on Friday (August 7, 2026) declined to interfere with the Gujarat High Court’s refusal to suspend the life sentence of Narayan Sai, son of self-styled godman Asaram, in a 2013 rape case. It, however, asked the High Court to decide his appeal against the conviction within three months.
A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale said it was not inclined to examine Sai’s plea since the Gujarat government had agreed to an expeditious hearing of the pending appeal.
“We are not inclined to go into the issue as the respondent State is willing for early disposal of the case. We request the High Court to endeavour to dispose of the appeal within a period of three months,” the Bench said.
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