Arun Subramanian & His Role in Sean Combs’ Trial

The trial of the music mogul Sean Combs has sparked numerous conversations and debates in recent weeks.

On September 16, 2024, Combs was arrested and indicted on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution.

His notorious parties have also been the stuff of myth in pop culture, with many celebrities attending the extravagant bashes.

These ‘Puffy Parties’ are often rumoured to have been the precinct for many of the rapper’s alleged crimes.

They were also said to have included extreme sexual activity, known as ‘freak-offs’. 

The trial of Sean Combs began in May 2025, and at the centre of it all, overseeing the proceedings, was Judge Arun Subramanian.

Subramanian was born to a Tamil family that emigrated from India to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US.

His father was a control systems engineer and his mother was a bookkeeper. 

From 2004 to 2005, Subramanian was a law clerk to Judge Dennis Jacobs of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

From 2007 to 2023, he worked at the white shoe law firm of Susman Godfrey LLP in New York City.

During this period, he focused on commercial law and bankruptcy law.

In September 2022, the then US President Joe Biden announced that Subramanian was to be nominated to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Subramanian received his judicial commission in April 2023 and became the first South Asian judge to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The judge’s role in the trial of Sean Combs has been nothing short of important and eventful. 

In June 2025, the jury informed Subramanian of a problem that concerned Juror No 25.

It was alleged that the juror “does not follow” the judge’s instructions.

Prior to this, the judge opted to replace Juror No 6 after the man provided conflicted accounts of his living situation.

Meanwhile, Sean Combs, who chose not to testify during the trial told Subramanian:

“I’m doing great, Your Honour. I wanted to tell you, thank you. You’re doing an excellent job.”

To this, Subramanian replied: “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

On July 1, 2025, it was reported that the jury had reached a verdict on four out of five counts.

However, they told Subramanian they were unable to reach an agreement regarding the racketeering conspiracy charge.

This prompted the judge to ask them to “keep deliberating”.

He said: “It is your duty as jurors to consult with one another and to deliberate with a view to reaching an agreement.

“Each of you must decide the case for himself or herself, but you should do so only after a consideration of the case with your fellow jurors, and you should not hesitate to change an opinion when convinced that it is erroneous.

“Discuss and weigh your respective opinions dispassionately, without regard to sympathy, without regard to prejudice or favor for either party, and follow my instructions on the law.

“Each of you must make your own decision about the proper outcome of this case based on your consideration of the evidence and your discussions with your fellow jurors.

“No juror should surrender his or her conscientious beliefs for the purpose of returning a unanimous verdict.”

On Wednesday, July 2, the jury acquitted Combs of racketeering and sex trafficking.

One of these charges involved his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who made a harrowing testimony during the trial.

However, Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation for the purposes of prostitution.

If the singer had been convicted on all counts, he could have faced spending the rest of his life in prison.

Nevertheless, his conviction of the less serious charges still leaves him with the prospect of spending a significant amount of time behind bars.

Judge Arun Subramanian adjourned the court shortly after the verdict was read. 

The judge thanked the jury for their work after they delivered their verdict.

Later, Subramanian denied Combs bail, which means the singer will be remanded in custody awaiting his sentence for his two convictions.

In May 2025, it was reported that US President Donald Trump was open to considering a presidential pardon in Sean Combs’ trial.

Trump allegedly shared a friendly relationship with Combs before entering politics.

Also known as Diddy, P Diddy, Love, Puffy, and Puff Daddy, Sean Combs began his career in 1990.

He has denied any wrongdoing as well as all the charges against him.