Indian-American Judge Arun Subramanian Sentences Sean “Diddy” Combs to Over Four Years in Prison
New York: Indian-American Judge Arun Subramanian, a 45-year-old jurist known for his firm and meticulous approach, on Friday sentenced hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs to just over four years in prison after he was convicted on two prostitution-related counts.
As arguments unfolded in a Manhattan court in the high-profile case involving Combs, all eyes were also on Judge Subramanian. During the hearing, the Indian-origin judge emphasized that the sentencing was necessary “to send a message to abusers and victims alike that exploitation and violence against women is met with real accountability,” according to the New York Times.
Combs, who was arrested in September last year, had already served nearly a year in jail. Consequently, the 55-year-old music mogul will now have to spend just over three more years behind bars. He was convicted in July of flying, including his girlfriends and male sex workers, around the United States to engage in drug-fueled sexual encounters.
Who Is Arun Subramanian?
Arun Subramanian was appointed in 2022 by then-US President Joe Biden, making history as the first South Asian judge to serve on the Southern District of New York. At 45, he is one of the youngest judges on the bench and is closely watched for his judicial decisions.
Known for his firm but balanced approach when hearing cases, Subramanian was born in Pittsburgh in 1979 to Indian immigrant parents who moved to the US in 1970. He grew up in a disciplined environment and pursued studies in computer science and English at Case Western Reserve University.
Subramanian earned his law degree from Columbia Law School in 2004. Following graduation, he clerked for two federal judges in New York before joining the chambers of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the US Supreme Court. In 2007, he became part of the Susman Godfrey law firm. His judicial appointment was confirmed by the Senate in March 2023.
Other Notable Cases Overseen by Judge Subramanian
Besides the Combs case, Judge Subramanian is currently overseeing several other significant lawsuits. One prominent case involves the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster.
He has also presided over two lawsuits filed by Liang Wang, a Chinese-American musician and former principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic, who was dismissed amid allegations of sexual misconduct.