Ahmedabad (Gujarat), August 16: The Supreme Court stayed the Gujarat High Court's order granting rape convict Narayan Sai two-weeks furlough on August 12. Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice M R Shah issued the self-styled godman Narayan Sai a notice based on the plea of Gujarat Government challenging the order of the single-judge bench of Gujarat High Court.

The Supreme Court listed the matter for further hearing in two-weeks time. Gujarat High Court has granted a two-weeks furlough to Narayan Sai on June 24. Earlier also, the rape convict was granted furlough in December 2020 by Gujarat High Court due to his mother's ill health.

It might be recalled that Narayan Sai, son of Asaram Bapu, also a self-styled godman was convicted of rape in April 26, 2019 by a Surat Court under Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 323 (assault), 506-2 (criminal intimidation) and 120-B (conspiracy). He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The complaint was filed by the sister of the rape victim. Both the victim and her sister were former devotees of  Narayan Sai and Asaram Bapu. Asaram Bapu is also serving a life sentence in a different case in Jodhpur jail for raping a 16-year-old girl.