Ajay Dev’s 378-year prison sentence for sexual assault crumbles after a judge discovers his adopted daughter likely fabricated the accusations to secure her U.S. residency, releasing him after 16 years of wrongful imprisonment.
Key Takeaways
- A California judge overturned Ajay Dev’s 378-year prison sentence after finding substantial evidence his adopted daughter fabricated sexual assault allegations
- Dev spent 16 years in prison for 76 convictions related to the false accusations before being released on May 23, 2025
- Four witnesses testified that the accuser, Sapna Dev, lied about the charges, with evidence showing she created accusations to punish Dev and secure her U.S. residency
- A critical hearing on June 13 will determine if Dev faces retrial or if prosecutors will appeal the judge’s decision
- The case highlights potential racial and ethnic bias in the original prosecution, issues now addressed by California’s Racial Justice Act
False Accusations Destroy 16 Years of An Innocent Man’s Life
Ajay Dev, 58, walked free on May 23 after a California judge overturned his 378-year prison sentence for sexual assault, ruling that his adopted daughter likely fabricated the allegations. Dev had served 16 years behind bars after being convicted on 76 counts related to sexual assault of a minor. Judge Janene Beronio’s ruling delivered a staggering rebuke to the prosecution’s case, finding “substantial evidence” that Sapna Dev, whom Ajay and his wife adopted from Nepal in 1998, had manufactured the accusations against him for personal gain and retribution.
The evidence of fabrication was overwhelming. Four separate witnesses testified that Sapna’s accusations were lies or motivated by anger toward her adoptive father. One particularly credible witness stated that Sapna had explicitly made the accusations to improve her chances of remaining in the United States. Further evidence showed that Sapna had expressed affection for both Ajay Dev and his wife between 1999 and 2004, directly contradicting her claims of ongoing abuse during this period.
“I have read the court material for seven years and believe there is a substantial likelihood that he didn’t do this. I don’t think $60,000 is reasonable… I think OR is reasonable,” said Judge Beronio, who released Dev on his own recognizance rather than requiring the substantial bail originally requested by prosecutors.
The judge’s ruling determined that Sapna “was determined to return to the United States and needed to use the criminal charges to do that,” revealing a calculated motive behind the false accusations that destroyed an innocent man’s life and family.
A Yolo County man’s 76 convictions and 378-year sentence for years of sexual assaults have been overturned by a judge, who said there was strong evidence that the man’s accuser had fabricated the charges to punish him. https://t.co/Dkw1CdwZ9T
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) May 28, 2025
Justice System’s Failure Exposed
The overturning of Dev’s conviction exposes disturbing flaws in California’s justice system, which allowed an innocent man to be sentenced to what amounted to life imprisonment based on fabricated testimony. Judge Beronio’s ruling specifically challenges the prosecution’s original case, which advocacy groups claim was influenced by racial and ethnic bias. This case exemplifies precisely the kind of injustice that the California Racial Justice Act was designed to prevent, as it prohibits testimony that appeals to racial prejudice in criminal proceedings.
“Judge Beronio was the first judge to really look closely at the evidence and read every document,” said Patricia Purcell, a member of the advocacy group supporting Dev. “We have known from the beginning that Ajay Dev was wrongfully convicted.”
Notably, Dev maintained a clean record both before his conviction and during his 16 years of incarceration, further supporting his claims of innocence. The fact that it took over a decade and a half for the justice system to correct this egregious error raises serious questions about how many other innocent people might be serving sentences based on false accusations, particularly when immigration benefits might be at stake for accusers.
Uncertain Future as Prosecutors Consider Options
Despite the overwhelming evidence of Dev’s innocence, his legal battle may not be over. A trial setting conference and motion hearing is scheduled for June 13, when it will be decided whether Dev will face retrial or if prosecutors will appeal Judge Beronio’s ruling. The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office has not released any statements regarding their intentions, leaving Dev in continued legal limbo after having already lost 16 years of his life to a wrongful conviction.
“A Northern California man’s 378-year sentence for sexual assault has been overturned by a judge who said there was strong evidence that his adopted daughter made up the accusations to punish him and improve her prospects of remaining in the U.S.,” reported the San Francisco Chronicle, summarizing the shocking conclusion to this case.
This case highlights the dangerous intersection of immigration benefits and criminal accusations, where the system can be manipulated by those seeking residency advantages. The devastating consequences for Dev – losing 16 years of freedom based on fabricated charges – should prompt serious review of how such cases are prosecuted, especially when accusers have clear incentives to fabricate stories that could result in personal gain.
