Arun Subramanian, an Indian-origin judge, is currently presiding over the sex trafficking trial of American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs at a district court in New York. The case has attracted widespread attention as serious allegations of abuse, blackmail, and exploitation emerge in court.
First South Asian judge on New York’s federal bench
Arun Subramanian made history in 2022 when he was appointed a US district judge by President Joe Biden, becoming the first South Asian to serve at the US federal court in New York. His appointment was praised by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called attention to Subramanian’s immigrant background and his commitment to justice, especially in a district with a large South Asian-American population.
Early life and education
Born in 1979 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Subramanian is the son of Indian immigrants. He pursued a BA in Computer Science and English at Case Western Reserve University and later earned his Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School. At Columbia, he was recognised as a James Kent and Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and served as the Executive Articles Editor for the Columbia Law Review.
Impressive legal career
Subramanian began his legal career by clerking for Judge Dennis Jacobs on the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He later worked under Judge Gerard E. Lynch and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
From 2007 to 2023, he was a partner at Susman Godfrey LLP in New York City. During this time, he successfully recovered over $1 billion for clients, focusing on public and private entities that were victims of fraud and other misconduct. His work included cases involving the False Claims Act, child pornography trafficking victims, and consumer rights.
Presiding over the Diddy case
Now, as a US district judge, Subramanian is overseeing one of the most high-profile celebrity cases in recent years. Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs faces serious allegations from multiple women, including his ex-girlfriend Cassie, who testified about abuse, drugging, and coercion. Prosecutors claim that Combs used his wealth and power to run an abusive network, assisted by bodyguards and employees.
The trial continues under the watch of Judge Arun Subramanian, whose legal expertise and background make him a notable figure in this headline-making case.
