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The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday (November 3) issued notice on a plea by Narayan Sai–convicted in 2019 by a Surat trial court for rape and sentenced to life imprisonment–seeking temporary bail to visit his ailing mother. 

Sai has moved the temporary bail application in his appeal challenging the rape conviction and life sentence. 

A division bench of Justice Bhargav D Karia and Justice Hemant M Prachchhak issued notice to the State and asked them to file a status report. 

"Issue notice. Returnable on November 27. Learned APP waives service of notice for respondents," the court said. 

Sai's counsel sought an earlier date of listing considering the mother's health as well as the fact that the petitioner was also suffering from multiple ailments. 

Sai was convicted by the Sessions Court, Surat on April 30, 2019 for offences punishable under IPC Sections 376(2)(f) (being a relative, guardian or teacher of, or a person in a position of trust or authority towards the woman, commits rape on such woman), 376(k) (commits rape on a woman suffering from mental or physical disability) 376(n) (commits rape repeatedly on the same woman), 377 (Unnatural Offences), 354 (Assault orCriminal Force to Woman with Intent to Outrage Her Modesty), Section 323(Voluntarily Causing Hurt), Section 504 (Intentional Insult) and Section506(2) (Criminal Intimidation) of Indian Penal Code.

He was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life and has been incarcerated since December 2013.

Earlier in May a coordinate bench of the high court had dismissed Narayan Sai's plea seeking suspension of life sentence prima facie noting that he was not interested in expeditious hearing of his appeal challenging conviction and had adopted delay tactics.

The matter is listed on November 27 on which date the main appeal is listed. 

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