On Thursday, 17th September 2025, the Supreme Court of India passed a significant order in a highly sensitive case. A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chauhan decided to suspend the jail sentence of Christian pastor Father Edwin Pigarez, who had earlier been convicted for the heinous crime of repeatedly raping a minor girl.

This development has drawn wide attention, considering both the gravity of the offence and the time the convict has already spent behind bars.

The Supreme Court clarified that the decision to suspend the sentence did not mean that the conviction was overturned. Instead, the relief was granted in view of the time already served in prison and the fact that Pigarez’s appeals against the conviction are still pending. The court made it clear that the appeals before the High Court must be decided in due course, but until then, the punishment would remain suspended and he would be released on bail.

The bench noted that the appellant had already spent a substantial period in jail. The order specifically stated that the accused has undergone imprisonment for almost 10 years, which is a considerable portion of the punishment imposed upon him. The court recorded its observation that, “…even if this Court accepts the sentence of 20 imposed by the High Court, the applicant/appellant has still undergone half of the sentence.” This reasoning formed the basis of the decision to temporarily suspend the punishment.

In its order, the court further stated, “We are inclined to suspend the sentence of the applicant/appellant, during the pendency of the appeal(s). The appellant is directed to be released on bail in connection with Sessions Case No. 203 of 2016, on such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Trial Court.” By putting these conditions in place, the Supreme Court left it to the lower court to ensure that the bail is regulated through appropriate safeguards, keeping in mind the seriousness of the crime.

It is important to recall that in February 2024, the Kerala High Court had upheld Pigarez’s conviction. He was found guilty of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a minor girl in his parish, an offence that sent shockwaves through the local community. The High Court, however, had reduced the sentence given by the Special Court. While the trial court had ordered imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life, the High Court modified this to rigorous imprisonment of 20 years without remission. This meant that although the conviction was confirmed, the punishment was scaled down from a lifelong sentence to a fixed term of 20 years.

With the latest Supreme Court order, Pigarez will now walk out of jail after serving ten years, pending the outcome of his appeals. The decision highlights the balance the judiciary tries to maintain between ensuring that a convict’s rights are not violated during prolonged incarceration and making sure that punishment for serious crimes is not diluted. The case continues to be a deeply disturbing reminder of crimes committed against vulnerable children, and the matter remains under judicial scrutiny as the appeals process moves forward.