Surat Rape Case: Gujarat High Court Issues Notice On Narayan Sai's Plea For Suspension Of Life Sentence

The Gujarat High Court last week issued notice on a plea moved by Narayan Sai–convicted in a rape case in 2019–seeking suspension of his life sentence.

A division bench of Justice Ilesh J Vora and Justice RT Vachchani in its order said:

"Notice, returnable on 26.02.2026. Learned APP waives service of notice for the respondent-State. Learned advocate for the applicant is permitted to serve the notice upon learned advocate Mr. Nandish Thakkar, who used to appear on behalf of the original complainant".

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.

Notably, in November 2025 the high court had granted six-month suspension of sentence to Narayan Sai's father Asaram, who is convicted in a 2013 rape case by a sessions court in Gandhinagar and is serving a life sentence.

The high court had suspended the sentence and directed that Asaram be released on interim bail on medical grounds, after noting that in October 2025 the Rajasthan High Court had suspended Asaram's sentence in view of his medical condition.

Case title: NARAYAN SAI v/s STATE OF GUJARAT

CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR SUSPENSION OF SENTENCE) NO. 4 of 2025

In R/CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1756 of 2019

Click Here To Read/Download Order