The renowned rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is currently at the center of significant attention. The rapper was sentenced to more than four years in prison on October 3rd, after being found guilty of accusations related to prostitution. The sentence was handed down by Judge Arun Subramanian, who has Indian roots. Judge Subramanian emphasized that the sentence was to ensure responsibility and send a clear message to society.
Arun Srikanth Subramanian, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1979, has parents of Indian origin. He has built a remarkable legal career with his dedication and talent. His father was a control systems engineer, while his mother worked as a bookkeeper.
Subramanian completed his undergraduate studies at Case Western Reserve University and earned a Juris Doctor (JD) from Columbia Law School in 2004. He began his legal career with clerkships under Judge Dennis Jacobs (US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit) and Judge Gerard E. Lynch (US District Court, Southern District of New York). He also served as a law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2007, he joined the New York law firm Susman Godfrey LLP, where he worked until 2023, ultimately becoming a partner. Over the course of his career, he secured over $1 billion in recoveries for clients, represented victims of child pornography trafficking, and fought consumer rights cases.
In 2022, Subramanian was nominated to be a federal judge by former President Joe Biden, on the recommendation of Senator Chuck Schumer. In 2023, he became the first South Asian judge appointed to the Southern District Court of New York.
Judge Subramanian, according to reports, stated that the punishment was designed to convey a message about the serious ramifications of exploitation and violence against women. After taking into account time served, Combs will now spend an additional 36 months in jail and pay a fine of $500,000.
Subramanian acknowledged Combs as a famous and “iconic” artist, but also insisted that the strict sentence was essential considering his history of sexual and physical violence. He rejected the defense team’s argument that the “freak-offs” were consensual.
The judge said that, given the rise in sexual violence in society, a significant sentence was necessary to send the message that people who exploit women will face real accountability. Subramanian reprimanded Combs, saying his crimes were serious and that his violence, pressure, and abuse had destroyed the lives of the women who had loved and trusted him. He also advised Combs to use his celebrity to perform good deeds.
Before sentencing, Combs spoke in court for the first time in over a year. He apologized to Cassandra Ventura and the woman who testified under the name “Jane.” Combs expressed deep regret for his failures as a father, losing his freedom, and damaging his image and business.
Combs stated, “I truly apologize for everything, regardless of what people say.” He also said that the hardest part for him was remaining silent and not genuinely showing remorse for his crimes until that time.