A federal judge of Indian origin, Arun Srinivas Subramanian, recently delivered a landmark verdict in the trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, handing down a prison term and a hefty fine.
Who Is Judge Arun Subramanian?
Arun Subramanian was born in Pittsburgh in 1979 to immigrant parents of Indian descent. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University and later received his law degree from Columbia Law School. He began his legal journey clerking for high-profile judges, including a stint at the U.S. Supreme Court under Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Over time, he built a reputation as a skilled litigator, working in commercial law before being nominated and confirmed as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
He became the first South Asian judge to serve on that bench.
The Diddy Trial & Subramanian’s Role
Judge Subramanian presided over the Combs trial starting in May 2025. He maintained strict courtroom decorum, once warning Combs about disregarding courtroom protocol, and denied bail requests during the proceedings.
In October 2025, after reviewing extensive testimony and evidence, he sentenced Combs to 50 months (4 years and 2 months) behind bars. In addition, Subramanian imposed a $500,000 fine, the maximum allowed under law, and ordered five years of supervised release after incarceration.
During sentencing, he referenced patterns of power abuse and detailed statements from victims, acknowledging their courage in coming forward. With his ruling, he underscored that wealth and fame do not place individuals above accountability.
